Thanks everybody for the HD radio replies.

I've said it before and I will say it again.

Satellite radio is like a DVR. Once you have it, you will never get rid of it.

Well, I don't have either and if I'm going to spend a monthly service fee, I'll get a DVR before satelite radio. And yes I know I will never go back and kick myself for not making the jump to a DVR a long, long time ago.

We have Sirius in one vehicle, and XM in the other.
We prefer the Sirius. The software and navigation are just about the same, one in a Jeep, the other in a GM. We find the programming of Sirius matched much closer to its categorization. Could just be our personal preference.

Greetings all, Just curious if anyone knew when DIRECTV was going to add the Fox Sports MIDWEST HD to the MPEG-4 spot beam? I see, based on several websites, including DIRECTV's own site, they
are rolling out HD Sports Nets (Some 24/7) to the larger markets.

Todd,
I'm not a D* sub, but I do recall some discussion here, I guess a few months back, about this topic.
IIRC, FSNMW, for reasons only speculated on here, is one of the two FoxSports RSN's not included in D* plans.
At least that's how I remember it being left back then....some D* subs may recall more details.

Greetings all,
I'm just curious as to why DIRECTV also does not look
back at its MPEG-2 spotbeams on the 101 & 119 sats.
Everyone knows that Satellite 101, Transponder 20 is
for the St Louis Local Channels. They are transmitting
9 local channels on it. There is still unused bandwidth
on this transponder. Each transponder can handle
12 to 13 channels.

101 Sat - T20:

- Ch2 (KTVI)
- Ch4 (KMOV)
- Ch5 (KSDK)
- Ch9 (KETC)
- Ch11 (KPLR)
- Ch13 (WPXS)
- Ch24 (KNLC)
- Ch30 (KDNL)
- Ch46 (WRBU)

At least enough room for 3 to 4 SD channels.
Or 1 HD Channel. Right? Enough room for
Fox Sports MW HD at 720p, right?

Yesterday morning my set started flashing Searching For Signal. Went on for a few minutes. While this message was popping up I went into the DVR menu and looked at all 3 and everything was in the mid to high 90's.

I unplugged the DVR and powered it back on. I have never seen the Searching For Signal message on my set, only on the DVR while watching and it's rain fade. This only happened yesterday morning and it hasn't happened since but I have had enough problems already with both my previous set and DVR I am about ready to get a librabry card!

I have a new replacement HR10-250 and new HL-S5086 Samsung authorized replacement (neither a refurb). So I don't know if this was the DVR or the set. Any ideas?

FWIW, I just turned on the set and I got the Searching For Signal for about a second, then it went right to the program so I am thinking it was the set.


I had the same problem a couple days ago with my SD DVR from D*. I didn't check my HR10-250 to see if it was doing the same thing, but my standard receiver in another room had a good signal and picture. I performed a power cycle, which appeared to fix the problem.

By the way, this is the first time I've posted in this forum, but I've been reading it for about a year now. Thanks for all the info.

Jeremy

I had the same problem a couple days ago with my SD DVR from D*. I didn't check my HR10-250 to see if it was doing the same thing, but my standard receiver in another room had a good signal and picture. I performed a power cycle, which appeared to fix the problem.

By the way, this is the first time I've posted in this forum, but I've been reading it for about a year now. Thanks for all the info.

Jeremy

Thanks Jeremy. I called Samsung and was transferred to Tier 2 and the hold time was 54 minutes (which is very unusual). I'll try them again as I am curious why it was the set message and pop-up rather than from the DVR. I have another HDMI cable so I'll swap that out too.

Welcome to the forum. :)

We have Sirius in one vehicle, and XM in the other.
We prefer the Sirius. The software and navigation are just about the same, one in a Jeep, the other in a GM. We find the programming of Sirius matched much closer to its categorization. Could just be our personal preference.


We have one of each as well. We prefer the music and baseball on XM, but I prefer the talk and football on sirius.

I got Sirius for my car. Fortunately I don't have to pay for it right now. I don't get great reception in the city, but I'm pretty sure that's mostly my fault -- I didn't want an external antenna on the car so I set mine on the inside rear shelf. But I mostly got it for road trips. I prefer listening to talk/news. The one thing about Sirius that really annoys me is all the endless commercials on the news stations. Only the music stations are so-called commercial free. I think the sound wquality is just so so. On some of the news stations it can actually be pretty poor, when it sounds like the announcers are in a echo chamber. My FM radio sounds better,

I flipped on NFL HD for the first time this season. They're showing the Dolphins/Bucs game. The HD quality is outstanding. If it's not the best I've seen, it's pretty close to the best. It reminded me of the experience with Joe when we first viewed the HD DVD. Obviously, not as good quality, but that same thought process. It "wowed" me. KIM, I'm easily impressed :o

Can one of you briefly explain why it is NLF HD, ESPN HD, and HD NET are so much better than all the others? Is it just confined to the resolution, or do the equipment (cameras, encoders, etc) make some of the difference. Personally, I feel live sports is the worst HD quality from the networks on broadcast TV. It's good, but it's surely not "wow."

I don't think it has to do with the provider, in my case, DISH. I received all of their HD offerings. I doubt they use less compression for some than for others, though maybe so :confused:

Cards at Mets listed on ESPN in HD at 6PM

Cards at Mets listed on ESPN in HD at 6PM
ty Mo....blacked-out on DISH....sigh :(

Cards at Mets listed on ESPN in HD at 6PM

Actually, it is ESPN2 in HD, but is blacked out on my set.

Scott

I got Sirius for my car. Fortunately I don't have to pay for it right now. I don't get great reception in the city, but I'm pretty sure that's mostly my fault -- I didn't want an external antenna on the car so I set mine on the inside rear shelf. But I mostly got it for road trips. I prefer listening to talk/news. The one thing about Sirius that really annoys me is all the endless commercials on the news stations. Only the music stations are so-called commercial free. I think the sound wquality is just so so. On some of the news stations it can actually be pretty poor, when it sounds like the announcers are in a echo chamber. My FM radio sounds better,

Must be the way your antenna is positioned. I have no problem whatsoever and it sounds great. I do agree with the commercials on the news channels, but what do you expect them to do when the tv side goes to a commercial.

Disintermediation? TiVo Ready to Roll Out CableCard DVR

The following story excerpt is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
____________________________________________________

TiVo says it will soon release a 'standalone' HDTV Digital Video Recorder for cable TV viewers.

The 'Series 3' HD DVR will be compatible with all major cable TV providers. However, users will need to get a CableCard from their local cable company.

The CableCard is a small card that slides into the back of the TiVo receiver, enabling the set-top to receive the cable signals. Two CableCards will be required if you want to record two shows at the same time.

The FCC requires cable TV operators to provide CableCards upon request, but some charge a small fee.
____________________________________________________

To read the full story, click here. (http://www.tvpredictions.com/tivohddvr082506.htm)

I got Sirius for my car. Fortunately I don't have to pay for it right now. I don't get great reception in the city, but I'm pretty sure that's mostly my fault -- I didn't want an external antenna on the car so I set mine on the inside rear shelf. But I mostly got it for road trips. I prefer listening to talk/news. The one thing about Sirius that really annoys me is all the endless commercials on the news stations. Only the music stations are so-called commercial free. I think the sound wquality is just so so. On some of the news stations it can actually be pretty poor, when it sounds like the announcers are in a echo chamber. My FM radio sounds better,

I have a lifetime sub for the OEM radio in my Charger. I put an S50 in our
Trailblazer and I am pleased with the reception I get. I don't know how you are
tuning your Sirius in, but via the audio out to a Tape Player the sound is great.
Via the FM transmitter, it is really low sound in comparison.

Sorry this is off-track for this thread, but I need some St. Louis feedback:
Does Charter cable work with the TV Guiide EPG? I'm considering either a Panny or Toshiba HDD/DVD recorder that uses it...
thx
barry

I have a lifetime sub for the OEM radio in my Charger. I put an S50 in our
Trailblazer and I am pleased with the reception I get. I don't know how you are
tuning your Sirius in, but via the audio out to a Tape Player the sound is great.
Via the FM transmitter, it is really low sound in comparison.

Agree, I used to have my Sirius Sportster via fm modulator and it sounded like ass. In my new truck I put the antenna on the dashboard and connected the sportster via line out to the cd changer input. sounds way better than modulated, and nice not to have the antenna on the paint.

Scott

...I don't know how you are
tuning your Sirius in, but via the audio out to a Tape Player the sound is great.
Via the FM transmitter, it is really low sound in comparison.It's a 2005 BMW. The Sirius radio is a BMW OEM module that installs in the trunk and integrates with the head unit (it attaches to the bus that controls the stereo, etc). The antenna is meant to come out of the trunk and attach to either the roof or the trunk lid. Instead, I fed it into the passenger compartment and have it sitting on the rear parcel shelf. I also have a tinted back window. Reception problems don't surpise me. I may look into getting a better antenna than the one BMW provided.

Dish left a message wanting to push my install (scheduled for Thursday) "back a couple of weeks due to lack of inventory on the 1000+". I originally ordered (and paid) on July 19, and this will be the third time they've rescheduled. I guess I should be happy that they didn't just use the tried-and-true "no show" method of rescheduling installation appointments:rolleyes: .

This is getting a little ridiculous. I'm almost tempted to just stay with Charter! :eek:

My neighbor, 3 doors down, had his 1000+ install scheduled for this morning, which he (and I) assumed would be pushed back like everybody else. Nope, showed up at 8:30 with the 1000+, and he was all set by 11am. He said it wasn't ADS who showed up though, it was some "ADS subcontractor" called Digital Blue? I guess it just proves that it's a total crap-shoot.

ty Mo....blacked-out on DISH....sigh :(

Don't feel bad. Turns out it was blacked out for me too.

It's a 2005 BMW. The Sirius radio is a BMW OEM module that installs in the trunk and integrates with the head unit (it attaches to the bus that controls the stereo, etc). The antenna is meant to come out of the trunk and attach to either the roof or the trunk lid. Instead, I fed it into the passenger compartment and have it sitting on the rear parcel shelf. I also have a tinted back window. Reception problems don't surpise me. I may look into getting a better antenna than the one BMW provided.
We recently traded our '04 745. That BMW communication "ear" on the rear roof, leaves much to be desired.

One would think, for 60k, more than "2 bars" is not asking much.

I'm a former Directv customer. I switched to Charter but since dropped them. I'm pretty sure with my good standing w/ directv, that I can get get a free installation at my new place. I have an HD receiver, so I just need the dish setup. I'm wanting a pole mount in the back yard for the dish. Question? I know the H10 MPEG4 receivers are out - but that only benefits to get the locals right? I already receive all the locals via OTA, so I don't need that. I have an old Hughes DTV HD receiver that I bought a few years back.
Is there any reason I should upgrade to the H10? I don't need the DVR either.
Suggestions...

We recently traded our '04 745. That BMW communication "ear" on the rear roof, leaves much to be desired.

One would think, for 60k, more than "2 bars" is not asking much.
Actually, the "Sharkfin" antenna isn't even used for Sirius. That's for BMW Assist. I did not get the premium package on my M3 so I do not have BMW Assist, thus no sharkfin antenna. I hate that thing...it's ugly. The Sirius antenna is small and flat, but I still didn't want it on the outside of the car.

I'm a former Directv customer. I switched to Charter but since dropped them. I'm pretty sure with my good standing w/ directv, that I can get get a free installation at my new place. I have an HD receiver, so I just need the dish setup. I'm wanting a pole mount in the back yard for the dish. Question? I know the H10 MPEG4 receivers are out - but that only benefits to get the locals right? I already receive all the locals via OTA, so I don't need that. I have an old Hughes DTV HD receiver that I bought a few years back.
Is there any reason I should upgrade to the H10? I don't need the DVR either.
Suggestions...

I think you mean the H20 MPEG4 receiver. The H10 is a High Definition MPEG2 receiver. You are correct about the OTA local channels being the only MPEG4 channels that the H20 can receive right now. But, Directv will have more HD MPEG4 offerings in 2007 when they launch two new satellites. Upgrade to the new H20.... not only will you receive free installation, but you'll most likely get the H20 free along with free 4-months of the HD package that Directv offers.

I think you mean the H20 MPEG4 receiver. The H10 is a High Definition MPEG2 receiver. You are correct about the OTA local channels being the only MPEG4 channels that the H20 can receive right now. But, Directv will have more HD MPEG4 offerings in 2007 when they launch two new satellites. Upgrade to the new H20.... not only will you receive free installation, but you'll most likely get the H20 free along with free 4-months of the HD package that Directv offers.


Yes, you are correct. I meant the H20. You're right - I may just want to go with the H20 w/ the free install. I just figured I have this HD receiver from DTV and wasn't sure how outdated it was.
Can they pole mount these new dishes for the H20? I really don't want to have to put that huge thing on the house I live in. Especially, since I'm only renting...

FOX plans to broadcast 6 regular season games per week in HD. All Post season games will be in HD.

There will be 104 regular season games on FOX, 93 in HD, plus the games ESPN. (Rams/Bears are on ESPN MNF on Dec 11th.)

I could not find any listings separating HD and SD games.

"FOX Sports' 2006 NFL broadcast schedule once again boasts an unmatched offering of high-definition programming. Starting with three preseason broadcasts in August, six games each week during the regular season and complete coverage throughout the NFL postseason for the third straight year, FOX Sports presents 104 games in 720p high-definition this season, representing 90 percent of all games covered. FOX Sports remains the only NFL broadcaster to produce as many as six NFL regular season games in HD each Sunday."
Full Article HERE (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5479642)

Was anyone able to get the SD locals re-instated while waiting for the 1000+ installation? I placed my order today for the LIL HD but my install date is 9/14. My biggest problem is that I lost the local OTA guides on my 921 and 622.

If you were able to get the locals re-instated while waiting for your install date, how did you do it? Numbers you called?

Thanks.

--Pheo

Was anyone able to get the SD locals re-instated while waiting for the 1000+ installation? I placed my order today for the LIL HD but my install date is 9/14. My biggest problem is that I lost the local OTA guides on my 921 and 622.
If you were able to get the locals re-instated while waiting for your install date, how did you do it? Numbers you called?
Thanks.
--Pheo
Pheo,
This should help you resolve it:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8200656#post8200656
Call AHDTS @ 800-969-4388

KIM, if your 1000+ upgrade order has already been built, it will be necessary for you to "convince" the tech to first close-out the upgrade order, and begin again following the correct procedure, which may further delay your installation date.

Sorry this is off-track for this thread, but I need some St. Louis feedback:
Does Charter cable work with the TV Guiide EPG? I'm considering either a Panny or Toshiba HDD/DVD recorder that uses it...
thx
barry

My brother uses one of the Sony HD-DVR's that uses the TV guide, and he is using a cable card from Charter and it works well. Just don't turn off OTA channel 9 otherwise you will not receive the updates.

[QUOTE=kdg454]FOX plans to broadcast 6 regular season games per week in HD. All Post season games will be in HD.

There will be 104 regular season games on FOX, 93 in HD, plus the games ESPN. (Rams/Bears are on ESPN MNF on Dec 11th.)

I could not find any listings separating HD and SD games.


They won't say which games are SD or HD at this point because they don't know. The worst matchups will be the ones stuck with SD. Can you say Rams vs. Niners? I hope not but we'll see. Just be glad we're in a Fox market and not CBS, as they do far fewer games in HD. Don't know about the 1st game of the season vs. Denver as that is a CBS game.

Does anyone use Charter's newsgroup service nntp.charter.net through their cable modem? I haven't been able to connect since yesterday and the customer service line goes to India and they don't have a clue as to what I am talking about.

Well, I just got my 4th reschedule on my dish 1000+ upgrade. They called me yesterday to confirm the appointment at 3:00 PM and then left a message for me at 8:00 PM to call them about the appointment. I called but the office was closed. I called them again this morning at 8:15 (appointment was supposed to be from 8 - 12 today) and they told me they needed to reschedule to 8/30 between 12 - 5. I'm not making plans for anyone to be here at that time, they'll probably cancel again.

I don't know if everyone that is having 1000+ installation problems is going through E* directly but I called Digital Belief Satellite (618)558-7571 on a Wednesday and he came out the next Monday and installed the 1000+ and a 622. Everything went great and I am super happy.

FYI for anyone using Charter for phone/internet only (mostly D* and E* guys I would assume).

My 6 month deal with them is coming to an end next week ($59.99 for 3Mbps HSI and unlimited LD phone package). I called to "cancel" my service and was presented two retention options:

12 months for $49.98 (same thing that I had, 3Mbps service)
or
3 months for $58.98 (upgrading the HSI to 5Mbps service)

I tried to get a longer package for 5Mbps service, but the CSR could only find a 6 month deal for new customers (and it was more expensive anyway, like $68/month). So, I went with the 3 month deal (because I've always wanted 5Mbps to match what I had in Tampa and Houston), even though the 12month special was a killer deal (essentially $24.99 for each service, normally $42.99 and $39.99).

In 3 months I'll have to do it again, but I guess as long as you call and get retention (asking to cancel completely), then they can hook you up with another promotion (otherwise, she said it's a 90 wait until they can put you on another promo plan).

My brother uses one of the Sony HD-DVR's that uses the TV guide, and he is using a cable card from Charter and it works well. Just don't turn off OTA channel 9 otherwise you will not receive the updates.


Any idea how he likes that Sony HD DVR? Sounded like a great idea but I guess it floundered because Sony discontinued them.

My brother uses one of the Sony HD-DVR's that uses the TV guide, and he is using a cable card from Charter and it works well. Just don't turn off OTA channel 9 otherwise you will not receive the updates.

Thanks, Chuck!

Any idea how he likes that Sony HD DVR? Sounded like a great idea but I guess it floundered because Sony discontinued them.

He bought two of the 250's at best buy before they dropped them, got them for $399 each. He has cable cards in both and they work great. My only beef is it only has a single QUAM turner, and when you change channels between cable and OTA it has a noticable pause, you can hear it click when it changes. Other than the lengthy set up it works great. Unlike the new Tivo which will soon be out, the service is free and he owns the boxes.

To go off topic here for just a bit....

My HTPC refused to start today. No power at all. No fans, nothing. I am assuming the power supply is dead. I know there are many of you here who have PC expertise and I'm hoping to get some of that.

I have replaced many parts on PCs before, but never a power supply and I'm not even sure if I CAN replace this power supply. Its a 365w supply and it came w/ the HTPC that I bought. A Sony RA820g (a link to the specs is in my sig.)

Anyway, I'm looking for some help if anyone has any ideas. If so, please PM me or post here if we can indulge the OT conversation (though I DO use my HTPC to record OTA HD =]

Thanks.

To go off topic here for just a bit....

My HTPC refused to start today. No power at all. No fans, nothing. I am assuming the power supply is dead. I know there are many of you here who have PC expertise and I'm hoping to get some of that.

I have replaced many parts on PCs before, but never a power supply and I'm not even sure if I CAN replace this power supply. Its a 365w supply and it came w/ the HTPC that I bought. A Sony RA820g (a link to the specs is in my sig.)

Anyway, I'm looking for some help if anyone has any ideas. If so, please PM me or post here if we can indulge the OT conversation (though I DO use my HTPC to record OTA HD =]

Thanks.

I had one go bad on me and it was as if a circuit was tripped or not plugged in. So it sounds like your power supply. Unless it's proprietary in terms of how it fits into the enclosure another one will be fine. It does not have to be a 365W (sort of an oddball number). Get a 400W or 450W PS. You will no doubt want a very quiet PS so do your research over at Silent PC (http://www.silentpcreview.com/). It's a good site btw.

If you plan on adding other drives or devices you may want to consider a 450 watt . One of the quietest PS made is Seasonic.

FOX plans to broadcast 6 regular season games per week in HD. All Post season games will be in HD.

There will be 104 regular season games on FOX, 93 in HD, plus the games ESPN. (Rams/Bears are on ESPN MNF on Dec 11th.)

I could not find any listings separating HD and SD games.

"FOX Sports' 2006 NFL broadcast schedule once again boasts an unmatched offering of high-definition programming. Starting with three preseason broadcasts in August, six games each week during the regular season and complete coverage throughout the NFL postseason for the third straight year, FOX Sports presents 104 games in 720p high-definition this season, representing 90 percent of all games covered. FOX Sports remains the only NFL broadcaster to produce as many as six NFL regular season games in HD each Sunday."
Full Article HERE (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5479642)

I wonder if KDNL will show that Rams MNF game? Jim, you wouldn't happen to know about that yet? I can't justify the costs of cable, or satellite.

Yes, you are correct. I meant the H20. You're right - I may just want to go with the H20 w/ the free install. I just figured I have this HD receiver from DTV and wasn't sure how outdated it was.
Can they pole mount these new dishes for the H20? I really don't want to have to put that huge thing on the house I live in. Especially, since I'm only renting...
Yes, they can pole mount the new AT-9 dish. Install it on a galvanized pole and when you move you can cut the pole off at ground level with a reciprocating saw. I have mine pole-mounted 80-ft. from my house. I had installed it previously for a triple LNB dish and ran four RG-6 quad-shielded cables underground (inside 1-1/2" Schedule 40 conduit) to my house. For my pole I used a 3" heavy- walled galvanized conduit that was ten foot in length.
I put it 3-1/2 ft. in the ground with six bags of concrete. I also filled the pipe with concrete to within 1-ft. of the top. This baby does not move! I put in a 10-ft ground rod and ran a heavy copper strap from the dish mount bracket for grounding. I also grounded the RG-6 cables by running a no. 6 ground wire from the RG-6 grounding blocks to my house electrical meter's earth ground rod. The installer was surprised at the work and I wasn't charged any additional installation charges.

Yes, they can pole mount the new AT-9 dish. Install it on a galvanized pole and when you move you can cut the pole off at ground level with a reciprocating saw. I have mine pole-mounted 80-ft. from my house. I had installed it previously for a triple LNB dish and ran four RG-6 quad-shielded cables underground (inside 1-1/2" Schedule 40 conduit) to my house. For my pole I used a 3" heavy- walled galvanized conduit that was ten foot in length.
I put it 3-1/2 ft. in the ground with six bags of concrete. I also filled the pipe with concrete to within 1-ft. of the top. This baby does not move! I put in a 10-ft ground rod and ran a heavy copper strap from the dish mount bracket for grounding. I also grounded the RG-6 cables by running a no. 6 ground wire from the RG-6 grounding blocks to my house electrical meter's earth ground rod. The installer was surprised at the work and I wasn't charged any additional installation charges.
Thanks for the advice! It's good to know I can go with the pole mount. I may give the folks at Directv a call soon...

thanks again.

I wonder if KDNL will show that Rams MNF game? Jim, you wouldn't happen to know about that yet? I can't justify the costs of cable, or satellite.


KDNL will not have any Rams games since ABC no longer has MNF.
Jim

KDNL will not have any Rams games since ABC no longer has MNF.
Jim
Are you absolutely sure about that? In the past when the Rams have been on ESPN, KDNL was granted the rights to carry it locally.

Sorry this is off-track for this thread, but I need some St. Louis feedback:
Does Charter cable work with the TV Guiide EPG? I'm considering either a Panny or Toshiba HDD/DVD recorder that uses it...
thx
barry

I have Charter in Illinois and have a cablecard in both a Pioneer and a Toshiba. The TV Guide works perfectly in both tvs.

Are you absolutely sure about that? In the past when the Rams have been on ESPN, KDNL was granted the rights to carry it locally.

True, we did carry some ESPN games in the past, but not this year!

NFL rules say someone will be carrying it locally; it's part of their TV contract.

A little off topic, but can anyone remind me the correct procedure for setting up my DirecTV dish. I had a new roof installed last week and they started a day early (before I had a chance to check the before settings of the dish).

I checked and my AZ should be 211°, elevation 41° and tilt 67°. Unfortunately, I can only tune in Sat C. Any suggestions for getting Sats A and B tuned in?

NFL rules say someone will be carrying it locally; it's part of their TV contract.
Clearly there's no doubt it will not be KDNL, who else would be granted local broadcast rights of a ESPN/ABC originated broadcast? It better *not* be WB11....I'll move :rolleyes:

BTW Jim, those new DT locals on Dish look pretty good in MPEG4. It's slightly less crisp than OTA, but the audio properties seem better, far less of that DT/SD volume-up/volume-down stuff.

Ok, not being able to time-shift is killing me. Especially with new seasons programming coming up soon. Does anyone know a fast-track way to get a Moxi box from charter? Or the availability of the upcoming HD cablecard TiVo? The rep @ charter said it'd be a year before moxi boxes were available...is that true or what? Does anyone know how to go straight to a retention rep @ Charter? Could I get some leverage there?

Thanks...

Matt H

Ok, not being able to time-shift is killing me. Especially with new seasons programming coming up soon. Does anyone know a fast-track way to get a Moxi box from charter? Or the availability of the upcoming HD cablecard TiVo? The rep @ charter said it'd be a year before moxi boxes were available...is that true or what? Does anyone know how to go straight to a retention rep @ Charter? Could I get some leverage there?

Thanks...

Matt H

You could call and get the main people and ask to speak with retention, that's what I did for my mother in law(not for moxi). Although, I heard an ugly rumor that there is no longer a retention department at Charter. It's just a rumor, so give it a try. (or my preference, dump charter...I'm a long time basher of charter, so take what I say with a palm of salt :p )
dug

Ok, not being able to time-shift is killing me. Especially with new seasons programming coming up soon. Does anyone know a fast-track way to get a Moxi box from charter? Or the availability of the upcoming HD cablecard TiVo? The rep @ charter said it'd be a year before moxi boxes were available...is that true or what? Does anyone know how to go straight to a retention rep @ Charter? Could I get some leverage there?

Thanks...

Matt H

Not sure about Charter, but you could go to Best Buy, Ultimate or wherever. Buy a Directv Tivo. Install it yourself and be time shifting today. :)

Scott

Has anyone seen one of the new 2006 Sony A2000 Series SXRDs here in St. Louis?

I've been slogging my way through the fan-boy hype over at the 140 plus page thread over in the rear-projection forum and it's making my head ache.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8303091#post8303091

I just want to see the TV in real life. Has anybody seen one in this area?

Ok, not being able to time-shift is killing me. Especially with new seasons programming coming up soon. Does anyone know a fast-track way to get a Moxi box from charter? Or the availability of the upcoming HD cablecard TiVo? The rep @ charter said it'd be a year before moxi boxes were available...is that true or what? Does anyone know how to go straight to a retention rep @ Charter? Could I get some leverage there?

Thanks...

Matt H

Your answer...complain, complain, complain. Call back often as well. The different CS reps will tell you different things, get one that tells you what you want, then drive that home to get your box. When we switched to Charter in June, we originally were told there was a wait list, then after calling back a few times, a guy told us that we could get 2 at install. When the installers came with only 1 Moxi, I complained as much as I could and a few weeks later they were there to install the 2nd one. Charter is a horrible company. The new Tivo's won't be out for a few months or so, and then, I'm not sure if Charter even has the HD cable cards? Does any one know this?

I've said this before in the thread - when I had my Charter install I was also told I was on a wait list. When the contractor showed up, he said "oh we have plenty of Moxis, let me get one out of the truck." The independent contractors often have inventory Charter doesn't know about, so you may just ask the guy when he shows up.

Has anyone seen one of the new 2006 Sony A2000 Series SXRDs here in St. Louis?

I've been slogging my way through the fan-boy hype over at the 140 plus page thread over in the rear-projection forum and it's making my head ache.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8303091#post8303091

I just want to see the TV in real life. Has anybody seen one in this area?

We (Ultimate Electronics, Mid-Rivers) have them set-up and running. Come on out and say hi.

I've said this before in the thread - when I had my Charter install I was also told I was on a wait list. When the contractor showed up, he said "oh we have plenty of Moxis, let me get one out of the truck." The independent contractors often have inventory Charter doesn't know about, so you may just ask the guy when he shows up.
A co-worker of my father told him that (as told to him by an installer, so this is a little telephone line-y already) Charter wasn't paying Motorola anymore, so there would be no more Moxis. Now, I can't say whether this is true or not, I doubt the installer could verify this, either. Still, it's a new and interesting excuse.

As a side note, and OT, but does anybody think SBC high-speed is better than Charter's?

As a side note, and OT, but does anybody think SBC high-speed is better than Charter's?

Yes. I switched from Charter to SBC dsl and the speed is better. Plus the SBC dsl has been rock solid while the Charter had a few service hickups. Not a single reboot or loss of service in 5 months with SBC.

The worst part about the Charter was where I live. I live the the DeMun neighborhood of Clayton and all the Wash U. students in my area would slam the system during the evening and slow the whole thing down. I tracked my speeds and my usual evening speed was in the 100kbps to 200kbps range. The only time I could get the 2 meg speed was mid morning during the week.

I went from SBC to Charter, both work fine for me. Charters is faster and I don't have many problems, in the Debaliviere neighborhood. I had SBC for over 6 years before the change, and never had any problems. Just don't want to pay for a landline anymore.

Yes. I switched from Charter to SBC dsl and the speed is better. Plus the SBC dsl has been rock solid while the Charter had a few service hickups. Not a single reboot or loss of service in 5 months with SBC.

The worst part about the Charter was where I live. I live the the DeMun neighborhood of Clayton and all the Wash U. students in my area would slam the system during the evening and slow the whole thing down. I tracked my speeds and my usual evening speed was in the 100kbps to 200kbps range. The only time I could get the 2 meg speed was mid morning during the week.
Do you mind my asking which package you opted for with SBC?

Do you mind my asking which package you opted for with SBC?

The cheapo 1.5mbps at $12.99/ month for one year deal.

I went from SBC to Charter, both work fine for me. Charters is faster and I don't have many problems, in the Debaliviere neighborhood. I had SBC for over 6 years before the change, and never had any problems. Just don't want to pay for a landline anymore.

I thought the same thing, but was glad to have a normal landline this last storm when I didn't have power for 5 plus days. The cell phone didn't even work at home because the tower didn't have power.

My buddy in U City who didn't have power for 8 days switched back from his Vonage to SBC landline.

Part of the reason I switched back to landline was after a buddy in New Orleans (after Katrina) was still able to reach the outside world even though he had about 1 to 2 foot of water in his first floor.

Not sure about Charter, but you could go to Best Buy, Ultimate or wherever. Buy a Directv Tivo. Install it yourself and be time shifting today. :)

Scott

No Ultimate nearby and BB's not getting $.01 from me. I'd go to Circuit City, but I'm in an appartment with no southern exposure so DTV's out for me. Charter's my only hope. I've talked to a few people at Charter today (trying the complain, complain, complain tactic) but each one says the Moxi is no longer available, try back in a month. Does anyone know if the independant installers still have the boxes or what? SHould I just hijack the next install truck I see? Is there an inside line to CHarter I should call...anyone have an inside contact?

-Matt H

Has anyone seen one of the new 2006 Sony A2000 Series SXRDs here in St. Louis?

I've been slogging my way through the fan-boy hype over at the 140 plus page thread over in the rear-projection forum and it's making my head ache.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8303091#post8303091

I just want to see the TV in real life. Has anybody seen one in this area?


It's the first thing you see inside the Brentwood Circuit City...and one of my best friends bought one about three weeks ago. Loves it.

-Matt H

DISH Reaches Distant Networks Agreements

The following is from today's Evening Bridge market wrap-up newsletter:
_________________________________________________

It was a busy day for EchoStar, the subject of recent various litigation efforts.

For starters, the company settled its long-standing distant networks dispute with broadcasters, agreeing to cut ineligible customers from distant nets and forfeiting $100 million. That sent the stock up 51 cents to $32.21 during trading today.

On the DVR front, a federal court issued a stay in litigation EchoStar filed against TiVo while the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reviews patents claimed by the satellite TV company. The decision, a small victory for TiVo, is a separate case from the multi-million dollar federal jury verdict TiVo won against EchoStar in April.
_________________________________________________

I have a 61" Toshiba CRT RPTV that I need to get rid of. It is 9 years old. I live in the Chesterfield area. Does anyone know how to get rid of such an item? I don't want any money for it. Does anyone know any local charities that will pick up large screen TVs?

Thanks for any help.

I agree. I just got my 1000+ installed yesterday. I compared attack of the clones OTA and on Dish, and it looked like the dish was a LITTLE softer, but it really looked great.

I have a 61" Toshiba CRT RPTV that I need to get rid of. It is 9 years old. I live in the Chesterfield area. Does anyone know how to get rid of such an item? I don't want any money for it. Does anyone know any local charities that will pick up large screen TVs?

Thanks for any help.

Funny how something you probably spent over 3k for less than 10 years ago can't hardly be given away today.

Try the Salvation army. Or, put it out on the sidewalk with a sign that reads "FREE."

Scott

Jym

JYM
I don't remember the name of the place, but there is a outfit dedicated to recycling electronics. I gave them a bunch of stuff before I moved to KC. I don't know if they would take anything that large though.
They were in the north part of St. Louis not too far from the river.

Is KPLR DT (11-1 & 11-2) still down? I'm in the city and it hasn't been coming in (OTA) for the last week or so.

I get the antenna analog pretty well. I don't have a signal strength meter. I know they're switching to CW soon, but what's the deal in the interim?

Thoughts??

Is KPLR DT (11-1 & 11-2) still down? I'm in the city and it hasn't been coming in (OTA) for the last week or so.

I get the antenna analog pretty well. I don't have a signal strength meter. I know they're switching to CW soon, but what's the deal in the interim?

Thoughts??

I Just checked. Seems to be fine right now (1:16pm). I live over by the Botanical Gardens, and it's been fine for at least 3 days, I'd say. This is with an old amplified rabbit ears and on the TV, a Silver Sensor. Last week, I and several other people were having problems with KPLR.

True, we did carry some ESPN games in the past, but not this year!

Darn it. I guess that means they'll probably be on KTVI. On another forum, a poster noted that WFRV in Green Bay aired Sunday Night Football games on ESPN, even though the station is owned and operated by CBS.

Logic here would dictate KDNL, but in practice, KTVI may be airing the MNF game in December.

[QUOTE=kjohnson]I Just checked. Seems to be fine right now (1:16pm). I live over by the Botanical Gardens, and it's been fine for at least 3 days, I'd say. This is with an old amplified rabbit ears and on the TV, a Silver Sensor. Last week, I and several other people were having problems with KPLR.


It's strange. I moved a couple weeks ago. The first night I turned on my HDTV, KPLR-DT came in fine as I was just testing. I'm using a Directv HD receiver. After setting my home theater up, I've only had problems with KPLR. I've tried many channel scans and nothing? Maybe I should try resetting my receiver?
Like I said, I get channel 11 analog fine w/ the antenna but nothing with the digital signal..

I'll try the reset tonight.

Due to the installation of a new analog/digital fm radio antenna located at the community tower site (near Watson Road), all rf transmissions are limited during construction. Since this includes KPLR's digital signal, sometimes it's on and sometimes not.

Has anyone ever had KSDK "crash" their tuner? Usually only watch 5-1 for The Tonight Show, but our DirecTV H10 receiver will lose audio and not respond to any buttons (just the video keeps going, so needs to be reset) maybe 2-5 times a month if it's on there 5 nights a week. I think it always happens when they switch to or from the network feed -- where the video flickers/jumps when Leno comes back from commercial, for example. When unmonitored, this has ruined recordings. :mad: Have another H10, but it's not used for much OTA, and I haven't tried checking it for the problem...

Never had another channel crash the receiver. I'm not sure if it was happening almost a year ago when we first got the H10, but it's certainly been for the last 6 months I'd say. I'm thinking of the HD news upgrade back then, but again, can't remember what it was like before that. :)

Interview with HDNet's Mark Cuban

The TV Predictions web site has the first installment of a two-part interview with HDNet founder Mark Cuban. Part two will be available Thursday.
___________________________________________________

Today, in part one, Cuban reveals:

* Why he thinks more people are buying HDTVs (Hint: It has nothing to do with sports):

* Which HDTV DVD player he would buy if forced to choose between Sony's Blu-ray player and Toshiba's HD-DVD player;

* And what HDNet needs to do to get Comcast to carry HDNet and HDNet Movies.

Tomorrow, Cuban comments on why NBC opted not to air Sunday's Emmy Awards in HD; whether 1080p actually provides a better HD picture; and what's next for HDNet.
___________________________________________________

To read the first part of the interview, click here. (http://www.tvpredictions.com/mark083106.htm)

We Interrupt Your Normal AVS Programming...

...for the following St. Louis housekeeping break:

In the not-so-distant past, we used to begin each month of the St. Louis discussion with an entirely new thread and usually that started with a cut/paste of basic resource information that is now buried back on the very first page of this discussion thread.

Because of its location, a lot of that general, introductory information about HDTV and OTA reception is now easily overlooked, especially with the discussion here stretching back more than 2 years and 400+ pages.

In an attempt to make this information more accessible, I'm going to post an advisory/reminder note similar to this every couple of weeks. Ideally this will make this general resource information more visible and easier to find for more readers.

With HDTV sales increasing every month, we're getting more and more newcomers here, which is a great thing to see. But like most of us when we took home our first HDTV, there's a huge amount to learn beyond where to point the remote and which buttons to push.

So, here's to filling in some of those information gaps...

Tower Maps, Your Satellite/Antenna Rights & Local Station Feedback (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2995679&&#post2995679)

Using An Antenna to Receive Local HD Stations (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2995718&&#post2995718)

Common Questions about HDTV (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2995791&&#post2995791)

HD Programming Available in St. Louis (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7979699&&#post7979699)

Why Isn't KDNL-DT (ABC) Available via Charter? (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8072643&&#post8072643)

New! Cardinals HD Schedule (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7576786&&#post7576786)

And finally, I want to remind everyone -- newcomers and old hands alike -- that you can access the St. Louis HDTV discussion here at AVS directly by using the shortcut URL that has been arranged.

The short-form URL also makes it very easy to remember and give the address to anyone you know who's just getting into HDTV.

The shortcut URL is: www.stlhdtv.info

Interview with HDNet's Mark Cuban

The TV Predictions web site has the first installment of a two-part interview with HDNet founder Mark Cuban. Part two will be available Thursday.
___________________________________________________

Today, in part one, Cuban reveals:

* Why he thinks more people are buying HDTVs (Hint: It has nothing to do with sports):

* Which HDTV DVD player he would buy if forced to choose between Sony's Blu-ray player and Toshiba's HD-DVD player;

* And what HDNet needs to do to get Comcast to carry HDNet and HDNet Movies.

Tomorrow, Cuban comments on why NBC opted not to air Sunday's Emmy Awards in HD; whether 1080p actually provides a better HD picture; and what's next for HDNet.
___________________________________________________

To read the first part of the interview, click here. (http://)

Doug,
It looks like your link is a local one....
Dug

Doug,
It looks like your link is a local one....
DugSorry about that -- should be fixed now...

Has anyone ever had KSDK "crash" their tuner? Usually only watch 5-1 for The Tonight Show, but our DirecTV H10 receiver will lose audio and not respond to any buttons (just the video keeps going, so needs to be reset) maybe 2-5 times a month if it's on there 5 nights a week. I think it always happens when they switch to or from the network feed -- where the video flickers/jumps when Leno comes back from commercial, for example. When unmonitored, this has ruined recordings. :mad: Have another H10, but it's not used for much OTA, and I haven't tried checking it for the problem...

Never had another channel crash the receiver. I'm not sure if it was happening almost a year ago when we first got the H10, but it's certainly been for the last 6 months I'd say. I'm thinking of the HD news upgrade back then, but again, can't remember what it was like before that. :)
Do you mean the HR-10-250 HD TIVO? That's what I've got and we have it tuned to 5-1 quite often, in fact I have a season pass for the Tonight Show. I've never experienced anything like you describe, though I do notice the video flicker you describe. I always attributed that to them throwing the HD switch.

I joined the digital recording era today. I finally got the MyHD card up and running :)

Next up is an R5000HD modified receiver.

Cheers,

Do you mean the HR-10-250 HD TIVO? That's what I've got and we have it tuned to 5-1 quite often, in fact I have a season pass for the Tonight Show. I've never experienced anything like you describe, though I do notice the video flicker you describe. I always attributed that to them throwing the HD switch.

No, just the regular H10 receiver. :) I guess I should swap the receivers, maybe the other would be stable. Would've done it awhile ago if they were placed where more accessible. :D

After 2 weeks of not watching (repeats), it happened after the first commercial break Monday -- just as Headlines were coming on. :rolleyes:


EDIT: Crashed just now at the beginning ("... America's late night leader"). :mad: That might be a first...

Dish finally got around to installing my 1000+ upgrade today and I'm receiving HD locals. I haven't had a chance to compare the OTA signal with the sat signal yet. I plan to do some captures and direct comparisons of frames to see the differences.

Bones had its season premiere on Fox tonight and I got a chance to watch it. Good news. They seem to have solved most of their technical issues with image breakup. I noticed about 3 minor glitches during the broadcast, none of which was nearly as severe as they were before. Even better, all the blocking artifacts I noticed at shot changes were gone. I didn't notice them once. I read that Fox was upgrading their equipment and it seems to have made a significant difference.

Joe, for comparison what signal strength do you get on Sat 118 TP 20 and 24? Those are where out HD locals are at.

Part Two of the Mark Cuban interview at TV Predictions can be found here:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/cuban083006.htm

Joe, for comparison what signal strength do you get on Sat 118 TP 20 and 24? Those are where out HD locals are at.

I'm getting 74 on transponder 24 and 70 on 20. 119 and 129 are coming in very strong, unlike before, and 110 is about the same. What are you getting?

I expect rain fade to be less of an issue than before with the 1000, as Ken reports. This installer also told me that the LNB on the Dish 1000 was installed improperly and he was surprised I was getting a signal at all at times on 129. Rain fade was definitely an issue with the 1000.

Part Two of the Mark Cuban interview at TV Predictions can be found here:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/cuban083006.htm

Cuban is always an interesting read. I think he is in agreement with most people now who have gotten into the next gen DVD fray - buy HD DVD now and a combo player later. Sony has fouled up the Blu-ray launch, but as they continue to be savaged in the press (see the negative reviews of the Samsung player in the latest Widescreen Review and The Perfect Vision) and online, they will have to improve the picture quality of Blu-ray or fail.

Interesting that Cuban mentions the Windows Media Video (VC1) codec. I've always been a big fan of wavelet, the compression technology that VC1 is based on. It approaches compression very differently than MPEG. There are never any blocking artifacts with wavelet. The picture gets softer as compression ratios go up, but you don't have to put up with the severe mosaics of low bitrate MPEG. I know a lot of people hate Microsoft passionately, but they've developed a really good compression technology. We would all benefit if Sony would use it over MPEG2. Just ask anyone who's watched the movies released to date.

I'm getting 74 on transponder 24 and 70 on 20. 119 and 129 are coming in very strong, unlike before, and 110 is about the same. What are you getting?

I expect rain fade to be less of an issue than before with the 1000, as Ken reports. This installer also told me that the LNB on the Dish 1000 was installed improperly and he was surprised I was getting a signal at all at times on 129. Rain fade was definitely an issue with the 1000.

129..........84 to 99 signal
119..........94 to 103
118..........75 to 89
110..........92 to 103 (except TP 12 which is a spot beam for Springfield/Joplin)

Have an off topic request for a copy of the newst Vista build. I received an invitation from MS to download Windows Vista pre-RC1 test program but after several attempts it never completed the download. MS limited downloads to 100,000. When I tried downloading it again yesterday I got a message sayng the 100K limit was reached.

Did anyone here get a working copy?

Have an off topic request for a copy of the newst Vista build. I received an invitation from MS to download Windows Vista pre-RC1 test program but after several attempts it never completed the download. MS limited downloads to 100,000. When I tried downloading it again yesterday I got a message sayng the 100K limit was reached.

Did anyone here get a working copy?A glutton for punishment, huh? Personally, I will never get Vista. Now that Apple is using the Intel platform, I plan to dump my POS Dell laptop and get a MacBook Pro, so I can run a real operating system, and then run Windows in a VM when I absolutely must. I should have just done that with Linux a long time ago. :D

A glutton for punishment, huh? Personally, I will never get Vista. Now that Apple is using the Intel platform, I plan to dump my POS Dell laptop and get a MacBook Pro, so I can run a real operating system, and then run Windows in a VM when I absolutely must. I should have just done that with Linux a long time ago. :D

Not at all. I built my PC last December and Vista Beta 2 played nice with it. I don't have SLI or other fancy graphics card or weird components. The harder install for RAID 0 was flawless. I had no problems with it.

I had a Mac briefly and could never get past trying to right click everything. :rolleyes: Good choice for a laptop but having the budget for duplicate software like Office leaves me out of the market.

Vista is surprisingly stable and fast. The eye candy is fun too. FWIW, I did a dual boot when I was running Beta 2.

I played around with Linux years ago and found trying to secure it too much of a pain. Haven't looked at Linux in the past few years so securing it probably is much easier now.

Not at all. I built my PC last December and Vista Beta 2 played nice with it. I don't have SLI or other fancy graphics card or weird components. The harder install for RAID 0 was flawless. I had no problems with it.

I had a Mac briefly and could never get past trying to right click everything. :rolleyes: Good choice for a laptop but having the budget for duplicate software like Office leaves me out of the market.

Vista is surprisingly stable and fast. The eye candy is fun too. FWIW, I did a dual boot when I was running Beta 2.

I played around with Linux years ago and found trying to secure it too much of a pain. Haven't looked at Linux in the past few years so securing it probably is much easier now.Who needs Office...www.openoffice.org

Oh well, each to his own. I hate MS Windows. I look forward to ridding myself of it, except where work requires me to use it. I recently started running CentOS (i.e. Redhat Enterprise) linux in a VM on my laptop and it works better running as a guest OS than Windows XP Pro as the host OS. For example, internet throughput is 25%+ faster.

Who needs Office...www.openoffice.org

Oh well, each to his own. I hate MS Windows. I look forward to ridding myself of it, except where work requires me to use it. I recently started running CentOS (i.e. Redhat Enterprise) linux in a VM on my laptop and it works better running as a guest OS than Windows XP Pro as the host OS. For example, internet throughput is 25%+ faster.

Oh Gawd! You don't even have your Mac and already you are turning into an Apple snob! :D

Good point regarding Open Office. Bad example in my previous post. I have Open Office on my thumb drive and have installed it many times on friends and family PC's.

Oh Gawd! You don't even have your Mac and already you are turning into an Apple snob! :D

Good point regarding Open Office. Bad example in my previous post. I have Open Office on my thumb drive and have installed it many times on friends and family PC's.Not an Apple snob. A Windows hater, and that as a result of being subjected to it since Win 3.1/NT3.51. Actually, I am always prepared to criticize Apple when they deserve it. I started using Mac and abandoned it for Sun Solaris in the mid 90s when Apple had problems with direction and the way they treated independent Mac developers. Now after 10+ years I'm ready to return to MacOS, which I always liked. I have never had anything but contempt for Windows, or anything that comes from Microsoft for that matter, with the sole exception of Excel. While Apple may be too arrogant for their own good, they do make good products that just plain work. I will bid a happy "good riddance" to Windows and Office.

Let me put my feelings to you this way, "MS Windows is the poorest excuse for an operating system I've ever had the misfortune to use." I think that sums it iup pretty well. :)

A glutton for punishment, huh? Personally, I will never get Vista. Now that Apple is using the Intel platform, I plan to dump my POS Dell laptop and get a MacBook Pro, so I can run a real operating system, and then run Windows in a VM when I absolutely must. I should have just done that with Linux a long time ago. :D
Glad to hear someone else here is a Mac.

I have a Charter Motorola 6200 STB, want to time shift regular HD programming, and have a TV which does not have a firewire connection. Can I use a JVC HM-DH5U? Specifically, I propose to connect the STB to the JVC VCR with a firewire link and then connect the JVC VCR to the TV with either HDMI or component. Will this work?

Any cheaper or simpler way? Of course, I am on the waiting list for Charter's upgraded STB.

I have been rescheduled for the 6th time on my 1000+ upgrade. I'm at wits end. Now I am scheduled for September 18th.

I had a problem happen yesterday with a D* H10 MP2 receiver. It started re-booting..and taking FOREVER to come back up. When it did come back the video had a slight flicker to it and the audio was shifted lower in pitch. It was the weirdest thing. The audio sounded the same through the analog outputs or the digital output. Everyone sounded like they were in slow motion yet it stayed sync'd with the video. High Def and Standard Def channels all had the same problem.

When I called D* about it they were going to swap it but instead elected to go with the upgrade to MP4 with the H20 and the AT9. They are scheduled to do it on Fri. I had to pay shipping and handling only of $21. They AREN'T taking the old H10 with them. I guess after the upgrade I'll re-activate the H10 and then again call them and see if I can get it swapped for an H20?

Anyone else seen the audio problem. They said there were no recent firmware upgrades. It started suddenly yesterday morning. Worked fine on Tues. night.

Discovery HD Theater to Add New Programming Sources

The following story excerpt is from TV Week's weekly HD newsletter:
______________________________________________________

Discovery HD Theater is about to get a major programming boost with several popular series from across the Discovery Networks spectrum being upgraded to high definition.

Discovery has tapped nine programs, including Animal Planet's breakout hit "Meerkat Manor" and Travel Channel's "No Reservations With Anthony Bourdain," to receive HD upgrades and premiere on HD Theater next year.

Contracts are still being negotiated with producers and the list could change, but the slate would go a long way toward giving fans of the 4-year-old hi-def network a greater selection of programming. Aside from "American Chopper," most HD Theater content tends toward documentary specials rather than ongoing series.

The other upgraded shows are Travel Channel's "1000 Places to See Before You Die," "Bizarre Foods" and "Tribal Life"; and Discovery Channel's "I Shouldn't Be Alive" and "Extreme Engineering." In addition, a pair of Travel Channel miniseries, "Into Alaska" and "Into the Kombai Tribe," are slated to be shot in HD.
______________________________________________________

To read the entire story, click here. (http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=250)

ESPN HD Ticker

Just wondering if anyone else is seeing this issue. I have Charter with a MOXI box and a 51" Mitsibishi. On ESPN HD the ticker at the bottom is often cutoff 25% or so. It only happens part of the time, and I cannot place it down to certain shows or certian times of the night.

Is this an ESPN issue, a Charter issue or a User issue (TV needs and adjustment). Other channels with tickers such as CNN and MSNBC have no issues, but they are also SD channels.

I think I remember this happening on CBS-HD football games a little last year, but not nearly as bad as recently on ESPN-HD.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Brad

I have been rescheduled for the 6th time on my 1000+ upgrade. I'm at wits end. Now I am scheduled for September 18th.

Call Dish back and ask for an account specialist. At the very least you should be compensated.

Bradduh,

I think there may be a couple of things happening here.

One, it sounds like you have an overscan issue with your TV. This is a relatively straightforward adjustment, though it varies depending on the type and model of your Mits.

Note that on digital displays (plasma, LCoS, DLP and LCD) you should readily be able to achieve around 2.5% overscan, which would make all of the ESPN ticker visible (and then some), as well as the entire logo in the lower right corner.

On a CRT, 4% overall is about the best overscan you manage, though you might have the ability to move the picture up or down in order to expose more of the bottom portion of the image. But this might also result in clipping off the top of scoreboxes, such as those used by FOX networks.

Second, I think ESPN has been experimenting with the positioning of its tickers and network logo in recent months, so it is probably during the times the ticker is moved down that you are seeing the problem.

If you can, I suggest you record (or check) the HDNet test patterns that run on the first Tuesday of each month (at either 6 or 7 a.m.). In fact, the HDNet overscan pattern is incorrect, but I do have the same pattern on my HD TiVo, so if you tell me where your picture is lining up at the top, bottom and left and right, I can give you an idea of your actual overscan for each edge.

Not an Apple snob. A Windows hater, and that as a result of being subjected to it since Win 3.1/NT3.51. Actually, I am always prepared to criticize Apple when they deserve it. I started using Mac and abandoned it for Sun Solaris in the mid 90s when Apple had problems with direction and the way they treated independent Mac developers. Now after 10+ years I'm ready to return to MacOS, which I always liked. I have never had anything but contempt for Windows, or anything that comes from Microsoft for that matter, with the sole exception of Excel. While Apple may be too arrogant for their own good, they do make good products that just plain work. I will bid a happy "good riddance" to Windows and Office.

Let me put my feelings to you this way, "MS Windows is the poorest excuse for an operating system I've ever had the misfortune to use." I think that sums it iup pretty well. :)

As someone who's used Macs extensively at work, I think their reputation for "just working" is vastly overrated. When you start to trick them out with lots of hardware and software to do the same things you do on Windows, they cough and choke just about as frequently. The bigger problem is that I just can't do on the Mac what I can do on Windows - MyHD and the R5000 spring to mind at the top of my list.

At first Apple claimed that both its OS and its hardware were superior to Windows. Now, it's just the OS, because they've moved to Intel CPUs. As far as the OS is concerned, I always lke to point out an article by MacWorld several years ago (when I was still using Macs more than PCs). In it, they ran a test with computer newbies to test how easy it was for someone with no computer experience to start using and become relatively comfortable with the Mac and with the PC. Guess what - even a MacWorld test had to concede that there was little difference in ease of use, with the edge maybe going to the PC.

Here's what I think - anyone who claims that ANY computer is easy to use is delusional. Brushing your teeth or talking on the telephone is easy; learning French is hard. Learning to use a computer is more like learning French than it is like brushing your teeth. The difference between ease of use on the Mac and ease of use on the PC is more like the difference between learning French and learning German. Neither is a walk in the park.

I think people who are fanatically loyal to any computer platform usually are that way precisely because computers are so difficult to learn - all OSes have their quirks and none of them is really "intuitive.". If you invest the time it takes to learn a computer, you don't want to have to turn around and invest a lot more time and energy in a different platform.

Arguing Mac vs. PC is a sure fire way to get people all worked up. Don't want to start that here, so I'll just end with this. I always advise people to get the computer that will do what they want to do. If they have worked with Macs in the past, it'll probably easier to go that route now. If they've worked more with PCs, that's likely the best way. The exceptions come in when you start talking about specific things the person wants to do. If they want to record HD OTA programming to the computer, I'd steer them to MyHD and a PC. If they want to record from Dish to the computer, I'd steer them to the R5000 and a PC. If Apple's move to Intel means some of those things can be done on the Mac, then I'd still question why you'd want to invest in dual OSes and duplicate software, unless you want to run programs that are Mac specific (like iDVD or Garage Band). Most people, however, don't fall into that category.

OK, flame me.

As someone who's used Macs extensively at work, I think their reputation for "just working" is vastly overrated. When you start to trick them out with lots of hardware and software to do the same things you do on Windows, they cough and choke just about as frequently. The bigger problem is that I just can't do on the Mac what I can do on Windows - MyHD and the R5000 spring to mind at the top of my list.

At first Apple claimed that both its OS and its hardware were superior to Windows. Now, it's just the OS, because they've moved to Intel CPUs. As far as the OS is concerned, I always lke to point out an article by MacWorld several years ago (when I was still using Macs more than PCs). In it, they ran a test with computer newbies to test how easy it was for someone with no computer experience to start using and become relatively comfortable with the Mac and with the PC. Guess what - even a MacWorld test had to concede that there was little difference in ease of use, with the edge maybe going to the PC.

Here's what I think - anyone who claims that ANY computer is easy to use is delusional. Brushing your teeth or talking on the telephone is easy; learning French is hard. Learning to use a computer is more like learning French than it is like brushing your teeth. The difference between ease of use on the Mac and ease of use on the PC is more like the difference between learning French and learning German. Neither is a walk in the park.

I think people who are fanatically loyal to any computer platform usually are that way precisely because computers are so difficult to learn - all OSes have their quirks and none of them is really "intuitive.". If you invest the time it takes to learn a computer, you don't want to have to turn around and invest a lot more time and energy in a different platform.

Arguing Mac vs. PC is a sure fire way to get people all worked up. Don't want to start that here, so I'll just end with this. I always advise people to get the computer that will do what they want to do. If they have worked with Macs in the past, it'll probably easier to go that route now. If they've worked more with PCs, that's likely the best way. The exceptions come in when you start talking about specific things the person wants to do. If they want to record HD OTA programming to the computer, I'd steer them to MyHD and a PC. If they want to record from Dish to the computer, I'd steer them to the R5000 and a PC. If Apple's move to Intel means some of those things can be done on the Mac, then I'd still question why you'd want to invest in dual OSes and duplicate software, unless you want to run programs that are Mac specific (like iDVD or Garage Band). Most people, however, don't fall into that category.

OK, flame me.

No need for flames, I'm just glad to have some Mac users to share experiences with.

...OK, flame me.
No need for flames. I don't have an HTPC, nor do I have interest in using one, so that point is moot for me. But you're right, everyone should use what works best for them. Its just that with me, I've spent too much time with Windows working against me when it should habe been working for me. I have experience with multiple operating systems, and of them Windows has been the most frustrating, problematic, annoying, and least stable for me.

Bradduh,
If you can, I suggest you record (or check) the HDNet test patterns that run on the first Tuesday of each month (at either 6 or 7 a.m.). In fact, the HDNet overscan pattern is incorrect, but I do have the same pattern on my HD TiVo, so if you tell me where your picture is lining up at the top, bottom and left and right, I can give you an idea of your actual overscan for each edge.

Thanks for the suggestion Doug. I will record on Tuesday and see what I get.

Brad

Channel 95 on DirecTV is showing the Marlins vs. Cards upcoming.

However, I checked the local schedule and this isn't shown as one of the FSMW-HD broadcasts. So, I assume that this is a Florida-origin broadcast (for all of the 3,000-odd Marlins fans in the state) and won't be available here in St. Louis...

No need for flames. I don't have an HTPC, nor do I have interest in using one, so that point is moot for me. But you're right, everyone should use what works best for them. Its just that with me, I've spent too much time with Windows working against me when it should habe been working for me. I have experience with multiple operating systems, and of them Windows has been the most frustrating, problematic, annoying, and least stable for me.

I hear you, Dean. I've had an unhealthy share of trouble with Windows PCs, too. I've also worked with a lot of different computer operating systems, although probably in very different ways than you have. You're not the first person I've heard curse the ugly underbelly of Windows. I'm also pretty sure that if we were able to look at the boiler room of any OS, we'd swear at the the stupid SOB who put those frakkin' pipes by the door. And why the hell didn't someone think to put a drain in here? That's why there's always a new Vista coming very soon, and why Apple keeps giving birth to new litters of lions and tigers and bears (oh, no, not bears).

Despite its warts, though, Windows works pretty well for me, even when I trick it out with multiple PCI cards, various USB devices, dual Gigabit Etheret, 7 striped arrays of storage mixing SATA and good old IDE drives and dual video displays. And I have Windows machines running in my basement that have been going 24/7 for months/years, with only an occasional reboot for updates or new software. And despite the fact that the gap in price has narrowed, I'd always pay more for Mac hardware and I wouldn't be able to do half the things that are most important to me right now. For people who need certain Mac software, the Mac is an easy choice. For me, and for a lot of people, the PC is the only serious choice.

I also had to laugh recently when I learned that Apple had lost a case to Creative (maker of non-iPod music players), for infringing on patents involving navigating music on a portable device. I just thought it was ironic since I had read stories last week in which Apple brought suit against two small companies who were using the word "pod" in their products. Apple isn't as big a bully as Microsoft simply because its fangs are smaller. And those arrogant and condescending commercials in which the hip young guy makes fun of the Windows idiot rub me the wrong way.

OK, has anyone seen the top of my head? I think it blew off about 5 minutes ago. Sorry if I splattered anyone.

Joe

I don't like that commercial either. My PC can do colored pie charts. It reminds me of when I looked like the cool guy. It was before PCs existed. I was a member of the unwashed anti-establishment and I stunk. That's why the PC guy crashes.

I've used probably every type of processor/operating system from Intel to Zilog and CP/M to windows. The question was always what do I need to do, what can do it, and how much does it cost. For a while it was Zilog/CP/M then Motorola/Unix, and now it is Intel/Windows. I remember the first hard drive I had. It was 10 meg and cost $5,000.00 and was installed in a Unix machine.

The new Mac is an interesting proposition. However, when I read claims by Mac-o-files that Macs can run windows programs faster than a PC, I think what a wonderful time we live in. Mac has discovered the secret of negative propagation and if this is true, perpetual motion can't be too far behind.

The thing I am trying to say is that you're all spoiled. If you had to do a job by shoving 8" floppies into a machine, or run a PAPER tape to load a program, you would realize how lucky you are and you would be satisfied with what you have.

Walt

Doug

I have been out of town (off and on) for about 2 months. While in Texas, I did a job for someone who wanted their Pronto programmed. I found out how "Mouse Mode" works. It's right there on the action pull down and is called DUH...."MOUSE MODE". You need the dongle from the Philips cordless keyboard/mouse and then the remote keypad will act like the touch pad on a notebook. Last night, I removed the keyboard and mouse from my HTPC and now the wife doesn't have to get the grandson to play a movie.

Walt

I'm looking for a fairly cheap indoor antenna to pick up the local digital channels. I live in south city and have a 20 dollar radio shack antenna. I can pick everything up - but they sometimes go in and out and I'd prefer a good solid signal. This antenna has no built in amp or anything. Is there anything out there for around $50 that could give me a better range? I'm pretty much okay w/ what I've got - unless I can get something w/ a more reliable range that's not too expensive.

Thoughts??

I'm looking for a fairly cheap indoor antenna to pick up the local digital channels. I live in south city and have a 20 dollar radio shack antenna. I can pick everything up - but they sometimes go in and out and I'd prefer a good solid signal. This antenna has no built in amp or anything. Is there anything out there for around $50 that could give me a better range? I'm pretty much okay w/ what I've got - unless I can get something w/ a more reliable range that's not too expensive.

Thoughts??

The Zenith Silver Sensor is generally regarded as the best indoor antenna. It's sells from anywhere from $20 to $30.

I usually link to Zenith's product page, but it wasn't working for me this morning. Here's a froogle search on it.
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=zenith+silver+sensor

Hey, looks like we may still get a dual-format HD player:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/01/pioneer-planning-hd-dvd-blu-ray-combo-drive-the-bdr-103/

Samsung got our hopes up and then dashed them. Same with LG. But ever since Ricoh announced its "smart" blue laser diode that can recognize what type of disc has been inserted and adjust the beam accordingly, we've been cautiously optimistic that someone, somewhere would release a drive and / or player that reads / writes both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, effectively mooting the so-called format war. Well, folks, it seem that glorious day may be close at hand, as Pioneer announced plans at Berlin's IFA to manufacture the BDR-103 combo drive (followup to its BDR-101 and upcoming, CD-writing BDR-102 Blu-ray-only burners). So far the company has released little information beyond this product's model number and its hybrid capabilities, but frankly, that glimmer of hope is all we really need to sustain us. We salute you, dear Pioneer, for attempting what so many others have tried and failed to do before; and if in fact you succeed, you will be remembered forever as the savior of HD lovers worldwide.

The thing I am trying to say is that you're all spoiled. If you had to do a job by shoving 8" floppies into a machine, or run a PAPER tape to load a program, you would realize how lucky you are and you would be satisfied with what you have.

Walt

You had PAPER tapes? When I was young we loaded our programs from STONE tablets, and we were happy to get them. :D

Thanks, Walt, for putting things in perspective. As far as computers are concerned, we do live in a great time, don't we?

Hey, looks like we may still get a dual-format HD player:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/01/pioneer-planning-hd-dvd-blu-ray-combo-drive-the-bdr-103/

Samsung got our hopes up and then dashed them. Same with LG. But ever since Ricoh announced its "smart" blue laser diode that can recognize what type of disc has been inserted and adjust the beam accordingly, we've been cautiously optimistic that someone, somewhere would release a drive and / or player that reads / writes both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, effectively mooting the so-called format war. Well, folks, it seem that glorious day may be close at hand, as Pioneer announced plans at Berlin's IFA to manufacture the BDR-103 combo drive (followup to its BDR-101 and upcoming, CD-writing BDR-102 Blu-ray-only burners). So far the company has released little information beyond this product's model number and its hybrid capabilities, but frankly, that glimmer of hope is all we really need to sustain us. We salute you, dear Pioneer, for attempting what so many others have tried and failed to do before; and if in fact you succeed, you will be remembered forever as the savior of HD lovers worldwide.

That's great news. If we get to a point where both writing and reading HD DVD and Blu-ray is that easy, it won't matter which format anyone owns. They could even mix and match them on the rental shelves.

That's great news. If we get to a point where both writing and reading HD DVD and Blu-ray is that easy, it won't matter which format anyone owns. They could even mix and match them on the rental shelves.
At the risk of geeking out, I still have my combo LaserDisc/DVD player from Pioneer (as well as a handful of discs).

At the risk of geeking out, I still have my combo LaserDisc/DVD player from Pioneer (as well as a handful of discs).

Had a few of those players and a bunch of laser discs. Tried to sell the discs on Ebay, and lost money after paying the shipping, so I dumped it all in the trash. I think we sold those players for $999 when they came out in late mid to late 90's. I still have the original Pioneer single disc DVD player, but it won't turn on.

Scott

The Zenith Silver Sensor is generally regarded as the best indoor antenna. It's sells from anywhere from $20 to $30.

I usually link to Zenith's product page, but it wasn't working for me this morning. Here's a froogle search on it.
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=zenith+silver+sensor
I have the Terk version (ripoff?) of the Silver Sensor since I could not find one anywhere when I got my HD set and didn't want to wait. The Terk has worked quite well for me.

I have the Terk one as well in St. Charles and it gets the locals for me. I don't get PBS or UPN very well, but only really need it to get ABC thanks to Charter.

Has anyone been noticing white snow in KSDK's HD feed?

Has anyone been noticing white snow in KSDK's HD feed?
L&O looks fine, both OTA and SAT feeds. I watched the news at 5, didn't notice anything then either.

Thats strange. I flipped over to L&O and I am seeing white speckles over dark areas of the picture. It is showing up on OTA and on my Charter feed.

Has anyone been noticing white snow in KSDK's HD feed?

Yep....I am also seeing the snow on dark shots on KsdK via Charter. Not nearly as bad as it was last fall, but still not that nice to look at.

Brad.

At the risk of geeking out, I still have my combo LaserDisc/DVD player from Pioneer (as well as a handful of discs).

I bought my last laser disc player from a friend who was upgrading to that very Pioneer combo player. I still have the player, along with about 70 discs taking up space in my basement.

Is anyone using D* LIL Mpeg-4 and how do you think it measures up to OTA. Also yes there was white pixaltion on ksdk tonight. Also I managed to get a free H20 D* Plus HD-DVR only had to pay shipping of 19.95 4 months free programing and new 5 LBN. The catch was a 2 year commitment. I origonlly did call to cancel to go to E* to get LiL in Mpeg 4 and record them but the made me this offer and I just could not pass it up. Sorry for the bad spelling the spell check won't load for some reason.

I bought my last laser disc player from a friend who was upgrading to that very Pioneer combo player. I still have the player, along with about 70 discs taking up space in my basement.


I have an LD player I got from a local pawn shop. It had no digital outputs. I added 2 circuit mods to enable DD and DTS output on it.
It's now on the floor of my closet. How long till my JVC3K DVHS lasts till it's added to the pile is anybodys guess.

On a side note, it's Dish 622/1000+ installation day!!!
ESPN HD returns to my house just in time for football!!

Dave

Here is a good article covering Charter's horrible CS.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/columnists.nsf/techtalk/story/79D69F12C866F53286257194004A5C3E?OpenDocument

Follow up Charter Story dated 9/1...

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/columnists.nsf/techtalk/story/3D5299404499BBF7862571D4006E3733?OpenDocument

I lost my cable modem service a week ago Thursday on 8/24. They got around to me on 8/30 to fix the lack of signal to my home. Horrible CS means they actually have CS and I'm just not convinced of this.

As soon as DSL becomes available to my home, Charter is out of here.

Hey MoInStL...

Since I live close to you I was wandering if you can pickup 46.1 with your CM antenna? I'm having to replace my winegard due to storm damage in July and was wandering from where we live where to point the antenna to get all digital channels. I can get HD locals from E*, but I watch a lot of the KETC's channels, along with KPLR which is not available over the dish.

Hey MoInStL...

Since I live close to you I was wandering if you can pickup 46.1 with your CM antenna? I'm having to replace my winegard due to storm damage in July and was wandering from where we live where to point the antenna to get all digital channels. I can get HD locals from E*, but I watch a lot of the KETC's channels, along with KPLR which is not available over the dish.

What is 46.1? My CM 4221 was crushed by a large limb back in July. I have another one, but have not mounted it yet. I am able to get KETC just fine as well as KPLR using the antenna inside the house. TV may have a better tuner than my D* Tivo?

Prior to the storm, I pointed it pretty much due south and tilted it up ever so slightly a couple of degrees. In the living room, I also point it south. ABC was my problem channel when the leaves appeared in spring but otherwise strong signals on all the others.

Hope this helps.

If you've got your DVR set to record 11.1 from OTA for tonight's Cards game, you might want to doublecheck it. KPLR is either off the air or operating at reduced power. Normally I have no problem but tonight I've got no signal.

Ditto -- no 11.1 signal here.

11.1 is 86 here.

Edit: I mean 86 as in "we're out of that" not 86 as in signal strength.

11 is no signal for me either. I normally have a signal of 95+ on 11. Same thing happened last night. Offline for a few hours, then came back up. Something's messed up with their transmission

been a while since I checked in, no 11.1 for me either. I'm glad I can come back here to see if others are having problems before I climb up on the roof. :)

Makes me wonder if the local stations are going to be this unreliable when they are digital only???

No 11.1 here either using Directv receivers or TV's built in tuner.

There has been an ongoing problem for a few weeks now. I'm getting sick of channel 11.

Anyone know wb's website?

Hey just got 11.1

I have a computer question. I've got a Dell Dimension 8200, Viewsonic VX2025WM. What do I need to buy to be able to use the DVI hookup. I'm thinking I need a TV Card on the Dell.Is this right? If this is correct could I get some ideas on what to buy. I'm guessing I can get a HD setup for this Monitor.
1 to nothing to the Pirates are you kidding me.

I have a computer question. I've got a Dell Dimension 8200, Viewsonic VX2025WM. What do I need to buy to be able to use the DVI hookup. I'm thinking I need a TV Card on the Dell.Is this right? If this is correct could I get some ideas on what to buy. I'm guessing I can get a HD setup for this Monitor.
1 to nothing to the Pirates are you kidding me.

Well, at least Weaver pitched a great game, a positive sign.

Several computer/HD questions there, so you need to explain more what you want to do. Do you want to use the DVI connector and watch HD video on the Viewsonic from the Dell? And what do you want to watch in HD - OTA programs or satellite programs or both? If you just want to record and watch OTA HD (CBS, NBC, Fox, etc.), then an HD capture card (like MyHD) is all you really need. If you have a free PCI slot (and preferrably another hard drive for video capture), MyHD is a good solution for OTA HD capture and playback. Satellite recorders like the Nextcom R5000 allow you to do both, but they end up being a lot more expensive.

No 11-1 or 11-2 here this morning.

Scott

11-1 (and 11-2) was back shortly after the game ended last night. It sounds like they are having trouble keeping the channel on the air.

Well, at least Weaver pitched a great game, a positive sign.

Several computer/HD questions there, so you need to explain more what you want to do. Do you want to use the DVI connector and watch HD video on the Viewsonic from the Dell? And what do you want to watch in HD - OTA programs or satellite programs or both? If you just want to record and watch OTA HD (CBS, NBC, Fox, etc.), then an HD capture card (like MyHD) is all you really need. If you have a free PCI slot (and preferrably another hard drive for video capture), MyHD is a good solution for OTA HD capture and playback. Satellite recorders like the Nextcom R5000 allow you to do both, but they end up being a lot more expensive.


I guess all I was thinking was to watch HD video on the Viewsonic from the Dell via the DVI connection but it appears I have many options. OTA is what I had in mind. Have you heard of On Air USB HD GT PVR. Do you think this would work for me. They sell them at Walmart.

Side note: Cards in HD today on KPLR
Cards on 95 D* Thursday vs Diamondbacks
Rams vs Broncos CBS HD Sunday 9-10
Cards vs Diamondbacks 9-10 KPLR HD

I guess all I was thinking was to watch HD video on the Viewsonic from the Dell via the DVI connection but it appears I have many options. OTA is what I had in mind. Have you heard of On Air USB HD GT PVR. Do you think this would work for me. They sell them at Walmart.


I haven't worked with this device, but I think Walmart's return policy is pretty good. If it doesn't work on your system, you could take it back. Sounds like it's worth a try - just make sure you are certain of their return policy. If it does work, I'd still think about adding another hard drive for capture. If you get it, let us know what you think.

KPLR is scheduled to do the game in HD today (1:15). Hopefully they will be transmitting also.

I think KPLR is still making repairs, hence the on-again, off-again reception. Should be back in time for the game (I hope).

Not really HD related, but website changes have occurred:

KTVI's site is officially www.myfoxstl.com. The old site, www.fox2ktvi.com still works. For how long, who knows.

WRBU's site is now www.my46stl.com. Also, folks, keep your eyes peeled for a new www.kmov.com. for reference, take a look at www.wwltv.com, to see what the new KMOV.com will look like.

So WRBU changed its domain name and web site. The more interesting question is whether the station has ANY timetable for going to HD broadcasting. This is an even more relevant question than previously, as WRBU is going to be the local affilliate for the first all-HD broadcast network, MyTV.

I took a quick look at the new web site, and noticed there was a technology section. Clicked there and found 20+ general technology stories, with most of them not particularly relevant to TV viewing and none of them pertinent to HDTV.

I suspect that answers my HD timetable question.

So WRBU changed its domain name and web site. The more interesting question is whether the station has ANY timetable for going to HD broadcasting. This is an even more relevant question than previously, as WRBU is going to be the local affilliate for the first all-HD broadcast network, MyTV.

I took a quick look at the new web site, and noticed there was a technology section. Clicked there and found 20+ general technology stories, with most of them not particularly relevant to TV viewing and none of them pertinent to HDTV.

I suspect that answers my HD timetable question.

Yep. Still putting out 480i. I don't know why they won't make the upgrade to 720p (I assume that My Network TV uses 720p, like their FOX parent, right?). The picture quality for WRBU-DT is fine, just SDTV. H-E double hockey sicks when they go HD, I guess. :rolleyes:

I'm sore that I've never seen Enterprise in HD, every other market in the US has, though. Which interestingly enough brings up a new question. When will we start to see HD reruns of syndicated fare? It seems to have reached critical mass, right? Or is this hinged on the ability to run and store HD programming?

The only station that gets a free pass on this is KETC. 4 Streams of different content is fine, if 3 are 480i, doubly so when they are informative.

Speaking of the differnces between HD and SD TV, the Cards game had a glitch on the analog side, which had KPLR, but not KPLR-DT out of action for about 10 minutes. Sometimes it pays to have and HD reciever. :D Those 10 minutes were uninterrupted (and in HD).

I'm sore that I've never seen Enterprise in HD, every other market in the US has, though. Which interestingly enough brings up a new question. When will we start to see HD reruns of syndicated fare? It seems to have reached critical mass, right? Or is this hinged on the ability to run and store HD programming?

Enterprise will be showing in HD this fall on HDnet. See here. (http://www.hd.net/series_comingsoon.html)

11-1 and 11-2 are back for me now.

Scott

Is signal strength for 11-1 up?

Usually I have reception issues when the trees are green, but today it looked like I had good signal lock. I have an attaic antennae and have been thinking about trying a Zeniht ZHDTV1, but 11-1 is going to be better I'll have less need (with KETC being the only problem).

I guess all I was thinking was to watch HD video on the Viewsonic from the Dell via the DVI connection but it appears I have many options. OTA is what I had in mind. Have you heard of On Air USB HD GT PVR. Do you think this would work for me. They sell them at Walmart.

There were problems with these when they first came out. From what I have read they have corrected the issues. I agree with Joe though. You should get a MyHD 130 if they are still around. They cost a little more but work flawlessly. At least my 120 has for over a year. They also do wonderful DVD playback.

Walt

There were problems with these when they first came out. From what I have read they have corrected the issues. I agree with Joe though. You should get a MyHD 130 if they are still around. They cost a little more but work flawlessly. At least my 120 has for over a year. They also do wonderful DVD playback.

Walt

Right. They also take the load off a slower CPU for playing back HD files. Even a very old computer can play back HD without a hiccup with MyHD. It does all the heavy lifting. It uses a PCI slot, so it's a little harder to install than USB2, but a phillips screwdriver is all you need to remove the PCI slot cover.

Is signal strength for 11-1 up?

Usually I have reception issues when the trees are green, but today it looked like I had good signal lock. I have an attaic antennae and have been thinking about trying a Zeniht ZHDTV1, but 11-1 is going to be better I'll have less need (with KETC being the only problem).

Not sure. I never check signal strength. I either have a picture or I don't and that's good enough for me.

Scott

The Tube, the all music network, on my Charter Moxi box, shows up with a station ID of KPLRD -- is this run by Channel 11 or do they just broadcast it on their sub-band, or is the ID just completely wrong? Is this available OTA?

The Tube, the all music network, on my Charter Moxi box, shows up with a station ID of KPLRD -- is this run by Channel 11 or do they just broadcast it on their sub-band, or is the ID just completely wrong? Is this available OTA?

It's run by KPLR.

But does anybody think any of the broadcast networks will mandate subchannels for local stations? Similar to KETC?

Using KMOV for an example, can we expect CBS to mandate CBS Sports HD on 4.2, or CBS News on 4.3, in addition to the main stream?

Is it too early to be thinking about this, or is it around the corner. Let's not think about the bandwidth robbing ( :eek: ) that will occur, just yet. :p

All right.....here it is after 5PM and I go to watch sports center. Incorrect flag set and only get the L/R channel. No/poor announcers. The same thing on several other HD channels from Charter. Anyone else experiencing these problems? How about satellite people? Is this a Charter issue? Who do I kill? Same problem for the last 4 days around this time. Problem usually goes away later in the evening.

Walt

The Tube, the all music network, on my Charter Moxi box, shows up with a station ID of KPLRD -- is this run by Channel 11 or do they just broadcast it on their sub-band, or is the ID just completely wrong? Is this available OTA?


I didn't know the tube was on Charter...what channel is it mapped to?

-Matt

But does anybody think any of the broadcast networks will mandate subchannels for local stations? Similar to KETC?

Using KMOV for an example, can we expect CBS to mandate CBS Sports HD on 4.2, or CBS News on 4.3, in addition to the main stream?

Is it too early to be thinking about this, or is it around the corner. Let's not think about the bandwidth robbing ( :eek: ) that will occur, just yet. :p

I read somewhere about a year ago that CBS was preparing a new channel called "CBS dot two," which I guess would occupy channel 4-2 on the local digital spectrum. Haven't heard anything about it since then, which I consider a good thing!

I didn't know the tube was on Charter...what channel is it mapped to?

-Matt

I get it on 136

Here is a somewhat decent (best I've found, so far) HD schedule for the NFL, as it is now scheduled.
It covers all the broadcasters, CBS, NBC, ESPNHD, NFLHD and FOX, and lists the resolution, 720p/1080i.

Additional games will be added as they are announced.
http://www.hdsportsguide.com/nfl.php

Well, so much for "Happy Labor Day." I just turned on the TV only to find the HD Tivo has been sitting on the "welcome, powering up" screen for Lord knows how many hours (I did NOT shut it off before heading to my parents' place in Terre Haute for the weekend).

After having the original Western Digital drive fail in June 2005, and the current Maxtor Quickview drive fail now.... the next drive I put in this thing is gonna be a SEAGATE!!!!

Update: a hard cold reboot seems to have fixed it for now. Have a hunch it's just temporary. Am downloading Instantcake as we speak and deciding how big a Seagate drive to buy. Outpost.com is advertising a 400 gigger for $99 but dammit they're out of stock.

I bought my last laser disc player from a friend who was upgrading to that very Pioneer combo player. I still have the player, along with about 70 discs taking up space in my basement.
I still have my discs, including the Star Wars discs that will be used as masters for the upcoming Original Trilogy release... maybe I should just save the money and make my own.

I still have my discs, including the Star Wars discs that will be used as masters for the upcoming Original Trilogy release... maybe I should just save the money and make my own.

I also have the Star Wars discs and about 200 others. I no longer have a player. Anyone want to trade for or sell a player?

Walt

On network-mandated subchannels, there are a number of wrinkles there.

* First, the network can't really mandate anything, apart from mandating to its own network-owned stations. Local stations have a relatively high degree of autonomy, and local broadcasters seem to be showing more independence from the networks recently.

* Second, whether a local station will carry a network-provided subchannel is ultimately going to come down to revenue opportunity. In other words, how compelling is the subchannel content going to be in the local market, and are there sufficient local ads slots to make it worthwhile (versus the cost of producing something locally where all the ad slots would be sellable by the local station)?

* Third, there's been some loss of momentum on subchannels, in general, due to the fact that cable and satellite are not required to carry them. The broadcast (NAB) lobby is pushing hard with both Congress and the FCC on this issue, and there's little doubt that they will continue to push on it until they get their way.

The FCC had actually scheduled a vote on mandatory subchannel carriage for cable back in July, but that agenda item was removed at the last minute due to the fact that the FCC chairman discovered that he didn't have the necessary votes to carry the mandate. The fact that a vote wasn't taken when the measure would have been defeated speaks volumes for where this is ultimately headed.

I would like to thank Joseph Clark for all his help with my computer questions.
Thanks

I also have the Star Wars discs and about 200 others. I no longer have a player. Anyone want to trade for or sell a player?

Walt

Sure, Walt. PM me and we can set up something.

On network-mandated subchannels, there are a number of wrinkles there.

* Second, whether a local station will carry a network-provided subchannel is ultimately going to come down to revenue opportunity. In other words, how compelling is the subchannel content going to be in the local market, and are there sufficient local ads slots to make it worthwhile (versus the cost of producing something locally where all the ad slots would be sellable by the local station)?



One thing I really like about The Tube, is there are zero commercials and/or interruptions. Its just continuous videos, and they play a great mix of old / new stuff, videos I forgot even existed.

I think the concern with "CBS Dot Two" is the choice KMOV would have comes down to carrying the subchannel with its added revenue stream or continue as they are with only the main CBS on the primary channel, with NO added revenue stream. If I were a bean counter at KMOV, I'd probably jump at the chance to carry CBS Dot Two. that doesn't mean I have to like it as a viewer.

BTW, so far no problems with my HD Tivo after the cold reboot. I still have misgivings about how long that will last. But at least I can apparently wait for a really good sale on hard drives... and not have to buy one RIGHT NOW out of desperation.

I have to wonder how TheShaft, I mean TheTube, makes any money?

One thing I really like about The Tube, is there are zero commercials and/or interruptions. Its just continuous videos, and they play a great mix of old / new stuff, videos I forgot even existed.Too bad it looks (and sounds) like ass. I just don't see the point of The Tube as entertainment, when it's basically stuck in a 1970s analog world (and that's being charitable, technology-wise).

But then, I haven't found a subchannel yet that I didn't loathe. Give me 24-hour free porn on a subchannel, and I'd hate that, too. ;)

KPLR's Cardinal HD games looked spectacular last summer (pre-Tube) but they've all looked decidedly mediocre since, due to the loss of HD bandwidth. They have the same problem with noisy reds as KSDK had last winter. Though it's not quite as bad, it's extremely annoying. And there's very noticeable pixellation any time there's a panning shot of any type.

Another example: I was calibrating a Vizio plasma yesterday and I was checking my work via a DISH 622. As it happened, on the NFL Channel there was a NY Giants exhibition football game that had originated on the New York City NBC station. I have to assume that they were running the Weather Channel (and possibly other subchannel streams), because the HD picture quality was truly atrocious -- things looked great until there was camera movement, at which point the grass went from being reasonably detailed to a mottled, ugly blob of gray/green; when the motion stopped, the picture detail returned.

At first, I thought this was a problem with the Vizio and motion artifacts, but switching to ESPN I caught some HD SportsCenter highlights of another football game, where this sort of artifact wasn't present. Definitely not a Vizio problem.

But then, I haven't found a subchannel yet that I didn't loathe. Give me 24-hour free porn on a subchannel, and I'd hate that, too. ;)




Well there's just something wrong with ya then!

:D

[QUOTE=kdg454]We have Sirius in one vehicle, and XM in the other.
We prefer the Sirius. The software and navigation are just about the same, one in a Jeep, the other in a GM. We find the programming of Sirius matched much closer to its categorization. Could just be our personal preference.

One thing that I fail to see in comparisons between the two Sat Radio formats is sound quality. I have to admit, I have 17 years of professional sound behind my belt, but to sum it up, I can't STAND the compression used with XM radio. It has so many artifacts in the 2-4KHz range it makes me want to jump out of my skin. It is akin to listening to compressed audio from the 1980's or 90's from the internet. It has plenty of high-frequency there to make you think it is high-fidelity, but it has no ambiance/decay, and the 2-4KHz artifacts are gawd-aweful. Sirius, on the other hand, I don't hear the compression issues. Albeit I am comparing Sirius on E* to XM in my friend's Acura sound system.

Just my $.02

Did KDNL get a new encoder ?

The jitter is all gone and the lip sync is perfect.
Best I've ever seen.

One thing that I fail to see in comparisons between the two Sat Radio formats is sound quality. I have to admit, I have 17 years of professional sound behind my belt, but to sum it up, I can't STAND the compression used with XM radio... Sirius, on the other hand, I don't hear the compression issues.

wow. Myself and 7.1 million other people would disagree with that statement.

Sirius on Dish sounds NOTHING like the actual Sirius

I also have the Star Wars discs and about 200 others. I no longer have a player. Anyone want to trade for or sell a player?

Walt


Check your local school district. Many science departments jumped on the bandwagon years ago. If you can talk to the right people (try the IT dept) I bet they could find one in a store room some where which could probably be had for any resonable offer.

wow. Myself and 7.1 million other people would disagree with that statement.

Sirius on Dish sounds NOTHING like the actual Sirius

lol. That's a bold statement audiolocator. I'm not sure if you mean dish Sirius vs. direct, or Sirius vs. XM? Well, we are talking opinions here, so I'll respect yours and the other 7.1 x10^6 -1 options, but I'm just telling what I hear. :)

And like I said, I am comparing non-like systems (Dish Sirius vs. direct XM..) I would expect the direct XM to sound better than a dish-retransmit, but that's why I qualified the statement. In any case, I do hear the artifacts - again it sounds to me like a cross between mp3 and mp3PRO.. the mp3 potion is very low bitrate, and the 2nd stream (the mp3pro) gives you the high-frequency impression of good sound.

no flame war please ;)

wow. Myself and 7.1 million other people would disagree with that statement.

Sirius on Dish sounds NOTHING like the actual SiriusI have Sirius in the car and I'm not impressed with the sound quality. I bought it so I'd have something for road trips, and I mostly use it for news radio. The sound quality of the news stations is inferior to FM. As for the music stations, I'm not that impressed either.

I haven't seen anyone post this but, did anyone else notice that KDNL forgot to flip the
switch for the Notre Dame/ GT game on Saturday? I searched the forum trying to find
WRacer's pager number, but I couldn't find it. Eventually they flipped the switch.

Is this still a manual flip, or did the ABC Network just screw up?

Mark Cuban Touts Terrabyte Personal HD Libraries

The following story excerpt is from today's TV Predictions newsletter, based on an interview at news.com:
_____________________________________________________

Mark Cuban says High-Definition TV owners will soon store their HD program libraries on high-capacity $100 hard drives.

The HDNet president and co-founder made that prediction in an interview with CNET's News.com.

"I personally think that the optimal (HD) connection will be personally managed hard drives. In five years, a terabyte or more of storage on a hard drive will be less than $100. We should be able to fill that up with music and whatever content we want in HD format, connect it to the TV and, using our remote, choose whichever movies we want," Cuban said.

Cuban added that "smart" companies will also offer hard drives that come pre-installed with high-def programs.

"If it were up to me, DIRECTV and (EchoStar's) Dish Network would merge," Cuban said. "They would buy Netflix and Hollywood Video, and then offer us 10-teraybyte hard drives full of all the content we could dream of that we can get for free or buy at a premium."
_____________________________________________________

For the complete story, click here. (http://)

Dumping MOXI for Series 3 TiVo Will Be Pricey

The following story excerpt is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
______________________________________________________

Ready to buy TiVo's new Series 3 High-Definition TV recorder? Well, it will set you back nearly $800.

That's according to a report today at Engadget, the popular web site on electronics.

Engadget writes that a site reader sent it a copy of a TiVo print ad in the October issue of Popular Mechanics. The ad says the recorder's price will be $799.

According to Engadget, no launch date was mentioned in the ad, although many analysts have speculated that it will be released late this month.
______________________________________________________

To read the entire TV Predictions story on the new TiVo, click here. (http://www.tvpredictions.com/tivoprice090606.htm)

FOX, DirecTV Under Fire for Distant Net Stance

The following story excerpt is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
_______________________________________________________

Colorado's two U.S. senators have asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate a dispute between DIRECTV and EchoStar over network channels.

News Corp., DIRECTV's parent, last week asked a federal court to stop EchoStar from providing 'distant' network signals to nearly one million subscribers. The signals, which originate from New York and Los Angeles, include both analog and High-Definition TV feeds.

EchoStar says it will pay $100 million to local stations to settle the nine-year-old legal battle over 'distant' network TV signals. The local stations are concerned that EchoStar's subscribers will watch the national signals instead of their feeds.

However, the satcaster says the Fox network, which is owned by News Corp., refused to go along with the agreement.

Sens. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., and Ken Salazar, D-Colo., have asked the Senate panel to examine whether DIRECTV and News Corp. "has engaged in behavior that would threaten the viability of the satellite TV market."
_______________________________________________________

To read the full story, click here. (http://www.tvpredictions.com/senatedirectv090606.htm)

I have Sirius in the car and I'm not impressed with the sound quality. I bought it so I'd have something for road trips, and I mostly use it for news radio. The sound quality of the news stations is inferior to FM. As for the music stations, I'm not that impressed either.

I totally agree; I'm not impressed with the sound quality of either service, and I agree the news channels on both carriers is worse than the music channels. The aritfacts are more notible to me on XM.

On another note, I had an interesting bout with e* to get my 1000+ installed. I did end up getting the upgrade for free, after I argued that I had already paid twice to upgrade to get all the HD channels - a 942 and then a 622 to get all the HD channels in addition to I had a 44 switch already.

Some guys showed up on the original date agreed (Aug 19th) that were from Dish from another state. They were in St.Louis to assist after the big storm. In any case, it took them 4 hours to get it working from a 1000 dish. One of the mounts from the 1000+ broke which caused them to have to use another 1000+ slated for a different customer that day (sorry if that was you, but they had already tossed my 1000 off the roof at my driveway to see how any parts it would break into.)

Then the guy hooked up the feeds backwards, then they couldn't get 110 in. Finally they swapped out the PSU for the 44 switch and all was working.

Then I get a call later that day from AES supervisor asking if anyone showed up/ what time they left etc. I asked him why he was asking me; can't he get that info from the crew? He agreed and hung up.

Two days later, an installer showed up. I wasn't home so they left indicating that they would come back. I got a call 4 days later from AES saying they can't do an install on my house, as there was no line of sight. I explained I was already up and running. They said that was impossible as they sent out two different teams to be sure they couldn't setup the 1000+ for me. lol

In any case, I sent an email to CEO to ask about the mounting; they used the mount from the 1000 without the braces on my 2nd story roof above our bedroom.

it was a silly experience...

Sounds more like a nightmare.

You should definitely follow up on the mounting. Although the mounting plates of the 1000 and 1000+ have the same bolt pattern, they are not interchangeable. The 1000+ plate is made of a heavier material to accommodate the larger reflector.

Also, the included stabilizer struts (2) must be used with the 1000+. The mounting of the 1000+ is similar to the mounting of a SuperDish. In some markets, they will only ground/pole mount the 1000+.

If all that's holding that beast on the roof, is the 4 bolts on the old 1000 mount, it won't take much wind to bring it down.

I suppose since you don't really have one, "having no line of site", the morons at AES are not too concerned with the mounting :rolleyes:

thanks for the feedback. I'm a little concerned that they might tell me I can't have a 1000+ dish on the roof... oh well, better to get it fixed than have it rip my roof off

Dish's written installation instructions provide for roof mounting.
See Here (http://members.aol.com/kdg454/Install_Notes_D500_D1000_Plus.pdf)

In a reply I received from Escalations on Aug 3rd, regarding the installation location of the 1000+, the reply was "most are installed on a pole or on a non living area, such as a garage."

It would seem their formal policy is to avoid roof mounts, but clearly it is an acceptable mounting application.

Just tell them it's your only line of site!

Did KDNL get a new encoder ?

The jitter is all gone and the lip sync is perfect.
Best I've ever seen.

Funny, I was wondering what's up with them recently. Yesterday morning 30-1 was black during GMA, which normally looks great in HD. Today, I couldn't help but notice that (once again) video & audio was a good half-second off...even in SD before GMA started. I think the ausio was behind the video but I might have this backwards.

I haven't seen anyone post this but, did anyone else notice that KDNL forgot to flip the
switch for the Notre Dame/ GT game on Saturday? I searched the forum trying to find
WRacer's pager number, but I couldn't find it. Eventually they flipped the switch.

Is this still a manual flip, or did the ABC Network just screw up?

Unfortunately, an operator was asleep at the switch!!! I was out of town, but thanks to a forum member who called me I got it switched about 15 minutes late. Pager is 314-790-1151.
Jim

Funny, I was wondering what's up with them recently. Yesterday morning 30-1 was black during GMA, which normally looks great in HD. Today, I couldn't help but notice that (once again) video & audio was a good half-second off...even in SD before GMA started. I think the ausio was behind the video but I might have this backwards.

Black during GMA was due to resetting some equipment that had locked up earlier. Will work on lipsync when ever I get back in town.
Jim

I am definitely interested in replacing my Moxi with a Series 3 Tivo. Especially now that it appears they will allow you to transfer lifetime service from an existing Tivo to the Series 3 for $199 while prividing a years worth of service on the older box (see TivoCommunity). So for $999 minus any possible rebates/discounts I would be in business with more capacity with eSata upgrade capability, Tivo-to-go, multiroom viewing, and ability to record HD ABC OTA.

I was wondering if anyone had any answers to a couple of my questions about Charter. First, does Charter offer multi-stream cable cards which would require renting only one?

Does anyone know if Charter plans to start using SDV technology which apparently breaks cable cards? Thanks.

I have Sirius in the car and I'm not impressed with the sound quality. I bought it so I'd have something for road trips, and I mostly use it for news radio. The sound quality of the news stations is inferior to FM. As for the music stations, I'm not that impressed either.

that's exactly what I am saying. As far as sound quality, XM > Sirius

But this isn't the thread for that discussion...

Due to the installation of a new analog/digital fm radio antenna located at the community tower site (near Watson Road), all rf transmissions are limited during construction. Since this includes KPLR's digital signal, sometimes it's on and sometimes not.

radiojack,

thanks for the info.

Here was the response I received from the technical suuport at channel 11:

"Due to construction at the tower site housing our DT antenna - KPLR DT is forced to reduced and or no power on occasion.

This reduction and outage is forced upon us by the tower owners who are accommodating upgrades to other broadcasters on the tower.

We fully expect this interruption to be limited in length and are working with the tower owners and construction crew to reduce any inconvenience to our viewers."


Looks like you beat me to the punch.

WRBU is still 704x480i, but did they boost their signal power recently? I'm watching Fashion House right now with zero breakups, zero pixellating..... tonight is the first time I've gotten ANY signal at all from 46-1 since last February's big wind storm that spun my antenna 30 degrees from where it was.

As for Fashion House, good Lord this show sucks on toast. Bring back the SHE SPIES reruns!

Unfortunately, an operator was asleep at the switch!!! I was out of town, but thanks to a forum member who called me I got it switched about 15 minutes late. Pager is 314-790-1151.
Jim
And I thought it was my email to the station engineer that did the trick.

:D

WRBU is still 704x480i, but did they boost their signal power recently? I'm watching Fashion House right now with zero breakups, zero pixellating..... tonight is the first time I've gotten ANY signal at all from 46-1 since last February's big wind storm that spun my antenna 30 degrees from where it was.

As for Fashion House, good Lord this show sucks on toast. Bring back the SHE SPIES reruns!


WRBU still listed at 109 KW, according to the FCC database. They may have completed repairs of some kind, or are finally using the licensed power.

The "telenovelas" MyTV is running are pretty desperate attempts by Fox to hastily program a new network fast. The vendetta between Fox and CBS/WB/The CW may extend to producers of content as well (guess).

I also have the Star Wars discs and about 200 others. I no longer have a player. Anyone want to trade for or sell a player?

Walt

Walt, I sent you a PM about a Laser Disc player I would be willing to part with.

I have Return of the Jedi and Empire Strikes back on Laser, but not epsiode 4.

"I'm A Doctor, Not a Make-up Artist" (Star Trek in HD)

The following story is from today's TV Predictions newsletter:
_______________________________________________________

CBS recently announced that the original Star Trek series will return this month in High-Definition TV.

However, don't expect to actually watch it in HDTV.

CBS Paramount Television President John Nogawski tells Broadcasting and Cable magazine that "almost no" local stations are ready to broadcast the show in high-def.

Nogawski said the program is transmitted to stations several days in advance of the airing and they simply don't have the storage space for the high-def version.

The re-mastered HDTV version of Star Trek will be available to local stations via syndication starting in mid-September.

Nogawski said CBS Paramount decided to re-master the 1960s show for high-def so it would be ready when the stations are. The network executive said the re-mastering process will preserve the original shows "right down to the placement of the stars."

B&C reports that re-mastering all 79 episodes took about a year.

While the local stations may not be ready for the HD Star Trek, CBS Paramount could also release the series on HDTV DVD.
_______________________________________________________

FWIW, I'd much rather see NG or DS9 in HD, but this is definitely a promising development.

And I thought it was my email to the station engineer that did the trick.

:D

The e-mail goes to me!!! Therefore there's no way to get immediate action...so use pager....but it better not happen again!
Jim

WRBU still listed at 109 KW, according to the FCC database. They may have completed repairs of some kind, or are finally using the licensed power.

The "telenovelas" MyTV is running are pretty desperate attempts by Fox to hastily program a new network fast. The vendetta between Fox and CBS/WB/The CW may extend to producers of content as well (guess).Apparently the soaps on MyTV are being translated/dubbed from the original Spanish.

I think MyTV would have gotten more mileage from a Mystery Science Fiction Theater approach, where a viewer simply created their own running dialogue. Marry it to the web, make it a contest and it might just have blown away the CW... ;)

The e-mail goes to me!!! Therefore there's no way to get immediate action...so use pager....but it better not happen again!
JimObviously, I thought that it went to whoever was on-site at the station.

Charter subs will get tonight (Thurs) and tomorrow (Fri) night's games in HD on FSNMW-HD, channel 792. Cards vs. Diamondbacks

I'd imagine the D-Backs will be a bit restless tonight :D

Ken,

The DirecTV guide earlier in the week was showing the Cards v D-Backs on HD channel 95. I think that someone here noted earlier in the week that this game would be available to St. Louis-area DirecTV subs, but I haven't seen anything official on that.

I'm sending a note to our contact at FSN to check...

Here's the up-to-date word on Fox Sports Midwest HD, from Geoff at FSN:
______________________________________________

I've been told that tonight's game is not on DirecTV channel 95, but that tomorrow's is. Not sure whether the one on channel 95 tonight is FSN Arizona's.

One additional note...FSN is televise select college football games in HD this season. Our first Big 12 game in HD is this Saturday, when Missouri hosts Mississippi at 11:30 a.m. CT. That game will be available in HD on Charter channel 792 and DirecTV channel 95.

Still don't have an answer regarding the DirecTV/FSN Midwest HD question. I'll work on it.
______________________________________________

More on the "Star Trek" HD fiasco here (http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=284), via TV Week's HD newsletter.

A TV Week HD Newsletter interview with the chief of MHD (aka MTV-HD) can be found at the link below.

Main points of interest is expectation of doubling or tripling new content in the next year and the fact that MHD is actually doing HD transfers of some music videos shot on film:

http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=285

IIRC, Star Trek The Next Generation would not be a good candidate for HD remastering because it was never shot on film.... it was recorded on SD video in the first place. It was a few years ago that I read that, and I don't remember where, so just remember how much ya paid for that tidbit of news....

:D

[QUOTE=DroptheRemote]Here's the up-to-date word on Fox Sports Midwest HD, from Geoff at FSN:
______________________________________________

Thanks for working on this Doug.

Unfortunately, an operator was asleep at the switch!!! I was out of town, but thanks to a forum member who called me I got it switched about 15 minutes late. Pager is 314-790-1151.
Jim

You rock Jim! Thanks once again for really taking ownership for making things top-notch. How many engineers would post their pager number to their customers to ensure a best-of-breed service to the HD community?

Kudos

-Rob

I watched the entire Steelers/Dolphins game on NBC tonight, switching between the Dish HD local and the OTA.

Absolutely no doubt the OTA is the superior HD. Sharper, crisper & cleaner, even on fast motion panning-type shots. Audio was identical, both in 5.1.

I'm content with baseball, tennis, golf, beech volleyball...well, maybe not beech volleyball, being watched on the SAT HD locals. But, Football, Hockey, and I suppose car racing (if I watched it) will be better via OTA.

IIRC, Doug told us this is how it would be :)

IIRC, Star Trek The Next Generation would not be a good candidate for HD remastering because it was never shot on film.... it was recorded on SD video in the first place. It was a few years ago that I read that, and I don't remember where, so just remember how much ya paid for that tidbit of news....

:D

The show was shot on film but was post produced (and all effects created) in SD video. It would be much harder to redo than the original Star Trek. I imagine that's been talked about, though. The Next Gen was the best of the Treks, IMO, so I'd love to see it recreated in HD. There are a few of the Trek movies I'll buy again on HD DVD - Insurrection and First Contact are at the top of that list.

I said I'd relay info on the backup generator we're having installed. That is going to happen in a couple of weeks. A system that will handle the whole house (and that is friendly to all the high end electronics) will cost about $5,800. The company is Southeast Services, Inc. Bates Electric wanted about $3,000 more for the same system. I got good references for this company. I'll let you know how the install goes.

Anecdotal Charter note:

My 70+ mom just dropped Charter (analog), as they had annoyed her for the last time. Today I put up an RS U-75R antenna for her (vent pipe mount 16' AGL), and installed a Sanyo 26" LCD HDTV (she is space-limited in her living room). The 27" JVC CRT got retired to the bedroom.

Her big blue eyes got two sizes larger when she saw PBS-HD, and Letterman in HD.

"Ooooooh, *pretty*!"

Mom loves the PBS sub-channels as well. She was getting all the locals, save WRBU, on rabbit ears, the external antenna locked everything up for her solid. A small victory for OTA today.

Well, I'm at 5 commercial HD DVDs and holding. That's about one a month since I got the player. I suspect the holiday season coming up will accelerate my purchases, since there are quite a few titles already slated for release that I will want. I'm happy enough with the Toshiba A1 HD DVD player, although the second generation players are already being announced - for sale later this year.

Blu-ray is still hoovering. Right now, fhough, you'll have trouble finding an HD DVD player demo, but that should all change when the advertising money for HD DVD kicks in from the likes of Microsoft for the upcoming holidays. Sony and its camp had better be prepared to eat some costs for initial Blu-ray players, or see their sales continue to be dwarfed by HD DVD player sales. Reports have the A1 as number 7 on the list of DVD players being sold on Amazon, while the Samsung Blu-ray player is way down near the bottom.

The NFL game on NBC last night looked real good via 5.1 OTA and the MPEG4 broadcast on my Directv H20 receiver also looked very good. Hopefully this trend continues for HD NFL action on all networks. But, I would have loved to see what the 5.1 broadcast would look like if there was no 5.2.

Has anyone been able to get any discounts from Charter lately signing a 1 or 2 year agreement? I had a one year agreement for the biggest movie package at a pretty nice discount and it just expired and they said they can't give me any promotions unless I add phone service. Of course when you add another service in it can't really lower the bill so with the new "promotion" the price stays the same (almost $35 more a month than what I was paying). I'm rather ticked and looking into satellite for television and dropping charter for everything but internet, but I'd honestly rather not deal with the hassle of switching service and some other nuances (ie: losing all the stuff on my Charter DVR that I haven't watched). Any suggestions>

Has anyone been able to get any discounts from Charter lately signing a 1 or 2 year agreement? I had a one year agreement for the biggest movie package at a pretty nice discount and it just expired and they said they can't give me any promotions unless I add phone service. Of course when you add another service in it can't really lower the bill so with the new "promotion" the price stays the same (almost $35 more a month than what I was paying). I'm rather ticked and looking into satellite for television and dropping charter for everything but internet, but I'd honestly rather not deal with the hassle of switching service and some other nuances (ie: losing all the stuff on my Charter DVR that I haven't watched). Any suggestions>

My Brother, lives in Belleville, has Charter digital with Moxi and Internet service with them. He called to drop the movie channels because of $$ concerns. Anyway, they said, "how bout you keep the movies and we'll just take $60/mth off your bill".

NICE!

Do you know when he did this? I *just* called them this morning and told her I would be looking into other options if they couldn't get my rate back down. I even said I'd sign a 2 year agreement if that's what I had to do because I was happy overall with their service. Still no go unless I want phone. I have digital with Moxi and Mate and Internet. Biggest Movie Package, HD Tier, and Family Tier. This is going up to $165/mo from about $125-130 and I just can't justify this having just bought a house. Unfortunately I can't live without my HD DVR and it looks like I'd have to pay to get one from any of the Dish companies...

I hate this...

Do you know when he did this? I *just* called them this morning and told her I would be looking into other options if they couldn't get my rate back down. I even said I'd sign a 2 year agreement if that's what I had to do because I was happy overall with their service. Still no go unless I want phone. I have digital with Moxi and Mate and Internet. Biggest Movie Package, HD Tier, and Family Tier. This is going up to $165/mo from about $125-130 and I just can't justify this having just bought a house. Unfortunately I can't live without my HD DVR and it looks like I'd have to pay to get one from any of the Dish companies...

I hate this...


Charter's policy I believe is 90days between promotions. So you may have to drop some service or pay the extra cost before they are allowed to offer you any special deals. A Year or so back they had a policy like this but from my understanding it is now strictly enforced and the systems are programed to not allow even supervisors to let people hop directly from one promotion to another.

My Contract expires end of december so I am not quite sure what I am going to do then either.... I really don't want a dish on my house or new holes put in to run more lines so I may just cut back on what services I have to save some money while I wait around for another promotion.

Also, promotions do change around. So one month they may only have short term discounts and the next they may have something allowing for a year contract.

-Phatty

Do you know when he did this? I *just* called them this morning and told her I would be looking into other options if they couldn't get my rate back down. I even said I'd sign a 2 year agreement if that's what I had to do because I was happy overall with their service. Still no go unless I want phone. I have digital with Moxi and Mate and Internet. Biggest Movie Package, HD Tier, and Family Tier. This is going up to $165/mo from about $125-130 and I just can't justify this having just bought a house. Unfortunately I can't live without my HD DVR and it looks like I'd have to pay to get one from any of the Dish companies...

I hate this...

Two weeks ago.

I just upgraded a D* H10 and 3LNB dish to a AT9 and H20 receiver. I paid only shipping cost. Everything went great without a hitch.

I just noticed however that I no longer receive channel 95. It says "Channel not purchased". The other night when a baseball game was on it showed up as an "event" and wanted a pay-per-view of $4.99. ???

Interesting note---yesterday E* uplinked several HD RSN's, 27 in all, 9 of which are FoxSports RSN's. FSNMW-HD is not among them. The FoxSports uplinks included NY, AZ, SW, W, BA, S, NW, NE, N.

Also note, these channels are in test phase, and not yet available to subs.

Interesting note---yesterday E* uplinked several HD RSN's, 27 in all, 9 of which are FoxSports RSN's. FSNMW-HD is not among them. The FoxSports uplinks included NY, AZ, SW, W, BA, S, NW, NE, N.

Also note, these channels are in test phase, and not yet available to subs.

That's not a good sign. Plus the fact that Doug's contact still doesn't have an answer why D* is not picking up FSN-MW-HD.

I thought the following story, which details upcoming HD additions to Quest's pay TV service, was interesting.

Last I heard, the AT&T video product currently includes no HD channels, though if I recall correctly AT&T was supposed to begin adding HD content during the fourth quarter of this year.

The following story is from today's Evening Bridge market close newsletter:
____________________________________________________________

Qwest added to its video programming slate in Phoenix, including high- def.

Qwest Choice HDTV customers now have access to HBO HD, Cinemax HD and Movie Channel HD at no additional charge if they purchase the corresponding premium package, the telco said.

The channels join previously available Showtime HD and Starz HD. Customers also will receive four additional high-def channels, which expands the telco's HDTV lineup to 21 channels. New networks include NFL Network HD and Food Network HD.
____________________________________________________________

The NFL game on NBC last night looked real good via 5.1 OTA and the MPEG4 broadcast on my Directv H20 receiver also looked very good. Hopefully this trend continues for HD NFL action on all networks. But, I would have loved to see what the 5.1 broadcast would look like if there was no 5.2.

Just watch a game on 30-1 or 4-1. Until they join the bit-robbing, multi-channel party, you should see a superior image (all things being equal). I notice the difference, especially during fast action & camera pans. Much less pixelization.

Has anyone been able to get any discounts from Charter lately signing a 1 or 2 year agreement? I had a one year agreement for the biggest movie package at a pretty nice discount and it just expired and they said they can't give me any promotions unless I add phone service. Of course when you add another service in it can't really lower the bill so with the new "promotion" the price stays the same (almost $35 more a month than what I was paying). I'm rather ticked and looking into satellite for television and dropping charter for everything but internet, but I'd honestly rather not deal with the hassle of switching service and some other nuances (ie: losing all the stuff on my Charter DVR that I haven't watched). Any suggestions>

If you decide to turn them in and I can get your Moxi with Mate, I can record your stuff to DVD for your viewing pleasure. Then I will keep the hardware for my viewing pleasure. I wish I had got these when they were available. Now I am patiently waiting on the list.

Walt

Uh oh -- I'm getting "Channel Not Available in Your Area" on Channel 95 on DirecTV.

Am I alone on this, or is it a blanket thing?

Hmm, I thought tonight's D'Back game was in HD for D* subs too. Ch 95 is blanked out. Ch 647 is SD...

Uh oh -- I'm getting "Channel Not Available in Your Area" on Channel 95 on DirecTV.

Am I alone on this, or is it a blanket thing?

So do we call D* or are we just left out?

I'm on the phone with DirecTV (against my better judgment) -- and, as expected, I'm getting nowhere...waiting to speak with a supervisor but getting ready to bail...

I'm on the phone with DirecTV (against my better judgment) -- and, as expected, I'm getting nowhere...waiting to speak with a supervisor but getting ready to bail...

Ditto, except I'm on with retention.

OK -- this is not official, but my "resolution specialist" says that Channel 95 has recently been converted to an MPEG-4 channel. When I asked when that change was made, I was told that it was roughly a month ago.

I seem to recall watching an FSN game on 95 more recently than that. My RS is doing one more check on this, but I get the idea that I'm on the road to nowhere (with apologies to David Byrne and Sen. Ted Stevens).

OK -- this is not official, but my "resolution specialist" says that Channel 95 has recently been converted to an MPEG-4 channel. When I asked when that change was made, I was told that it was roughly a month ago.

I seem to recall watching an FSN game on 95 more recently than that. My RS is doing one more check on this, but I get the idea that I'm on the road to nowhere (with apologies to David Byrne and Sen. Ted Stevens).

I got no where, so I'll wait to see if you get it and what number you called.

Final word (for now) -- the resolution specialist confirms that Channel 95 is no longer available to MPEG-2 subscribers.

He says this change took place on July 1, but again I am virtually certain that I have watched a FSMW-HD Cards game on 95 since then, and obviously my HD TiVo would not have been able to receive an MPEG-4 broadcast.

I'm officially declaring defeat...

Final word (for now) -- the resolution specialist confirms that Channel 95 is no longer available to MPEG-2 subscribers.

He says this change took place on July 1, but again I am virtually certain that I have watched a FSMW-HD Cards game on 95 since then, and obviously my HD TiVo would not have been able to receive an MPEG-4 broadcast.

I'm officially declaring defeat...

Thanks. It sucks since we cannot get the new MPEG-4 box (which needs 5 LNB) unless we want to pay for it of course at BB.

Hey Doug... I need to get your Tivo remote back to you.

Are you going to be around Monday evening? If so I can drop it by then.

Cheers,

Thanks. It sucks since we cannot get the new MPEG-4 box (which needs 5 LNB) unless we want to pay for it of course at BB.

D* is wrong. The game is not coming in on my H20 or HR10.

For all you HR10-250 owners here, it appears that the new 6.3 software is suppose to roll out next week.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=315176

Final word (for now) -- the resolution specialist confirms that Channel 95 is no longer available to MPEG-2 subscribers.

He says this change took place on July 1, but again I am virtually certain that I have watched a FSMW-HD Cards game on 95 since then, and obviously my HD TiVo would not have been able to receive an MPEG-4 broadcast.

I'm officially declaring defeat...
That's a boldface lie. If channel 95 had been converted to MPEG-4, your HR10-250 would not even see the channel. I believe channel 96 actually was converted to MPEG-4. It used to show up on the 'channels I receive' but does not any more. Also, you are correct that a Cards game was on 95 in the last couple of weeks. I believe today's Missouri game is a FSMW HD production and is on channel 95, meaning it should be available to us.

Update, I'm getting the DirecTV logo on channel 95 right now (on my HR10-250). If it were MPEG-4, I would not be getting that. I think we'll know for sure when the Missouri game starts.

The show was shot on film but was post produced (and all effects created) in SD video. It would be much harder to redo than the original Star Trek. I imagine that's been talked about, though. The Next Gen was the best of the Treks, IMO, so I'd love to see it recreated in HD. There are a few of the Trek movies I'll buy again on HD DVD - Insurrection and First Contact are at the top of that list.

First Contact was excellent, but you liked Insurrection?

As to getting TNG in HD -- that would be awesome. I would love that. A second would be DS9, followed by TOS, VoY, and Enterprise.

Would love to see TNG or DS9 -- awesome.

For all you HR10-250 owners here, it appears that the new 6.3 software is suppose to roll out next week.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=315176
I wouldn't hold my breath. That has been rumored and debunked before.

That's a boldface lie. If channel 95 had been converted to MPEG-4, your HR10-250 would not even see the channel. I believe channel 96 actually was converted to MPEG-4. It used to show up on the 'channels I receive' but does not any more. Also, you are correct that a Cards game was on 95 in the last couple of weeks. I believe today's Missouri game is a FSMW HD production and is on channel 95, meaning it should be available to us.

Update, I'm getting the DirecTV logo on channel 95 right now (on my HR10-250). If it were MPEG-4, I would not be getting that. I think we'll know for sure when the Missouri game starts.

Ok, maybe "boldface lie" is a bit harsh since DTV CSR's are infamous for providing incorrect information....but the Missouri/Mississippi game is on channel 95. It has definitely not been converted to MPEG-4.

FWIW, the Post-Dispatch's recent story on Charter alienating a growing number of customers has apparently struck a major chord with local readers. The story was written and first appeared in the paper and online on Sep 1. On Friday -- a week later -- that story was still the second-most forwarded/emailed story from the STL Today web site.

It will be interesting to hear if, in the next results reporting cycle, Charter continues to attribute cost growth to the additional money it is spending on customer service. Clearly, whatever they're spending (the lack of any genuine outreach to customers seems pretty clear), it isn't doing them any good.

Ok, maybe "boldface lie" is a bit harsh since DTV CSR's are infamous for providing incorrect information....but the Missouri/Mississippi game is on channel 95. It has definitely not been converted to MPEG-4.Yeah, that's what I thought, but the guy I talked to spent a lot of time checking into the problem, and he actually went back to get further details on the date of conversion, so I felt I had to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe I should have known better, but I will cut a company a lot of slack if they actually SHOW they're trying to solve my problem, and I think the effort was real. Anyway, I'm glad to hear that Channel 95 hasn't slipped into the ether for those of us remaining in MPEG-2 Land.

Maybe last night's broadcast on 95 was originated by FSN Arizona...as it happens, the game wasn't worth watching anyway, even if it had been is SuperDuper 3DHD. :eek:

Yeah, that's what I thought, but the guy I talked to spent a lot of time checking into the problem, and he actually went back to get further details on the date of conversion, so I felt I had to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe I should have known better, but I will cut a company a lot of slack if they actually SHOW they're trying to solve my problem, and I think the effort was real. Anyway, I'm glad to hear that Channel 95 hasn't slipped into the ether for those of us remaining in MPEG-2 Land.

Maybe last night's broadcast on 95 was originated by FSN Arizona...as it happens, the game wasn't worth watching anyway, even if it had been is SuperDuper 3DHD. :eek:

You are right. I called D*; they said the HD broadcast was FSN Arizona. But, that was ch 96 in Arizona.

Is ther something wrong with the WB channels? I can't pick them up now at all.

Is ther something wrong with the WB channels? I can't pick them up now at all.
Yes, Chilmorg. Some of the members here have contacted KPLR.
Posted on 9/6:


Due to the installation of a new analog/digital fm radio antenna located at the community tower site (near Watson Road), all rf transmissions are limited during construction. Since this includes KPLR's digital signal, sometimes it's on and sometimes not.


radiojack,
thanks for the info.
Here was the response I received from the technical suuport at channel 11:
"Due to construction at the tower site housing our DT antenna - KPLR DT is forced to reduced and or no power on occasion.
This reduction and outage is forced upon us by the tower owners who are accommodating upgrades to other broadcasters on the tower.
We fully expect this interruption to be limited in length and are working with the tower owners and construction crew to reduce any inconvenience to our viewers."

The ABC-HD production of the Ohio State vs. Texas game is in HD, but its flagged on my receiver as Pro Logic. Is that correct? Or are others geting DD5.1?

First Contact was excellent, but you liked Insurrection?

Few people will ever confuse any of the Star Trek movies for Citizen Kane, and people have their favorites for such a wide variety of reasons. Of the 10 so far, my favorites are, in order of guiltiest pleasure, Star Trek IV The Journey Home, First Contact and Insurrection. OK, so I added IV to the top of my list - if for no other reason than to see James Doohan talking to a mouse.

Well, I watched The Bourne Supremacy tonight on HD DVD. Good HD and amazing sound. I also read a review in Home Theater Magazine about the Samsung Blu-ray player. Lest you think I've fallen into the "I bought an HD DVD player; therefore Blu-ray sucks" trap, here's how Geoffrey Morrison sums up his first experience with Blu-ray: "What the hell?"

He also says that reviewers from the various home theater magazines have been calling one another (unheard of), just to make sure they can believe their eyes. I get most of those mags, so I know what he's talking about. Home Theater Mag was the kindest in its review. By that I mean it's short, and therefore doesn't have room to rip the Samsung apart with a verbal chainsaw, like most of the other mags have been doing.

Everyone knows Blu-ray can do better, but so far Cinderella's come to the ball with a torn dress, dirt on her face and no glass slipper. She does THINK she's the prettiest girl at the party. Does that count?